Which of the following is true about self-inflating bags?

Self-inflating bags are designed to facilitate the delivery of positive pressure ventilation, particularly in neonatal resuscitation scenarios. The statement regarding the inability to administer continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to a spontaneously breathing infant using a self-inflating bag is accurate.

When a newborn is breathing spontaneously, CPAP is a therapeutic approach used to keep the alveoli open, thereby preventing atelectasis and improving oxygenation. Self-inflating bags, however, are not ideally suited for this purpose because they can provide intermittent positive pressure but lack the ability to maintain a steady, low level of pressure needed for effective CPAP delivery. The design of these bags supports positive pressure ventilation, which is typically used for apneic infants requiring resuscitation, rather than the continuous pressure that spontaneous breathers would require for CPAP.

In contrast, devices specifically designed for CPAP delivery are equipped to maintain a consistent pressure and provide oxygen adequately without the need for manual squeezing of a bag. Thus, while self-inflating bags can support basic ventilation in emergencies, they do not reliably administer CPAP, making the statement about their limitations in this context true.