How does PRVC differ from VSV in terms of triggering?

How does PRVC differ from VSV in terms of triggering?

• A. PRVC is only patient triggered while VSV is time triggered
• B. PRVC can be time or patient triggered while VSV is only patient triggered
• C. Both are exclusively time triggered
• D. PRVC is exclusively patient triggered, and VSV is flow triggered

Answer: (B)

PRVC, or Pressure Regulated Volume Control, allows for both patient-triggered and time-triggered breaths. This flexibility is important because it can accommodate the patient’s needs, responding to spontaneous breathing efforts while also ensuring that assisted breaths are delivered at set intervals if the patient is not initiating them. In contrast, VSV, or Volume-Supported Ventilation, primarily operates under a patient-triggered mechanism, focusing on delivering a set volume when the patient takes a breath. With VSV, the ventilator supports breathing efforts without the timed backup that characterizes PRVC. By allowing both triggering mechanisms, PRVC can better adjust to varying respiratory patterns and demands of the patient, leading to better synchronization and comfort during mechanical ventilation. This is especially significant for patients who may have variable respiratory drive or who are transitioning between periods of spontaneous and assisted breathing.

PRVC, or Pressure Regulated Volume Control, allows for both patient-triggered and time-triggered breaths. This flexibility is important because it can accommodate the patient’s needs, responding to spontaneous breathing efforts while also ensuring that assisted breaths are delivered at set intervals if the patient is not initiating them. In contrast, VSV, or Volume-Supported Ventilation, primarily operates under a patient-triggered mechanism, focusing on delivering a set volume when the patient takes a breath. With VSV, the ventilator supports breathing efforts without the timed backup that characterizes PRVC.

By allowing both triggering mechanisms, PRVC can better adjust to varying respiratory patterns and demands of the patient, leading to better synchronization and comfort during mechanical ventilation. This is especially significant for patients who may have variable respiratory drive or who are transitioning between periods of spontaneous and assisted breathing.