Which condition is a contraindication to CPAP?

Which condition is a contraindication to CPAP?

• A. Pneumothorax
• B. Normal oxygen saturation
• C. Adequate spontaneous breathing
• D. Clear chest x-ray

Answer: (A)

CPAP works by delivering continuous positive airway pressure to keep airways open and improve oxygenation, but it also raises intrathoracic pressure. If a pneumothorax is present, applying CPAP can worsen the air leak, prevent lung re-expansion, and potentially trigger a tension pneumothorax. This is why a pneumothorax is a contraindication to CPAP. The other scenarios described do not by themselves prohibit CPAP: normal oxygen saturation means oxygenation is adequate and CPAP isn’t needed; adequate spontaneous breathing means the patient can breathe on their own (CPAP can still be used to support, but it isn’t a contraindication); a clear chest x-ray shows no pneumothorax to worry about.

CPAP works by delivering continuous positive airway pressure to keep airways open and improve oxygenation, but it also raises intrathoracic pressure. If a pneumothorax is present, applying CPAP can worsen the air leak, prevent lung re-expansion, and potentially trigger a tension pneumothorax. This is why a pneumothorax is a contraindication to CPAP. The other scenarios described do not by themselves prohibit CPAP: normal oxygen saturation means oxygenation is adequate and CPAP isn’t needed; adequate spontaneous breathing means the patient can breathe on their own (CPAP can still be used to support, but it isn’t a contraindication); a clear chest x-ray shows no pneumothorax to worry about.