What type of ventilation is referred to as CMV?

• A. Conventional mechanical ventilation
• B. Controlled mechanical ventilation
• C. Assist control ventilation
• D. Continuous mandatory ventilation

Answer: (C)

The term CMV stands for Continuous Mandatory Ventilation. This mode of ventilation is characterized by delivering a set number of breaths at a predetermined tidal volume, regardless of the patient's own respiratory efforts. In CMV, the ventilator takes full control of the patient’s ventilation, ensuring that the prescribed number of mechanical breaths are provided, which can be especially useful in patients who are unable to breathe spontaneously or need assistance to maintain adequate ventilation.

CMV can be beneficial in managing patients with severe respiratory failure or during certain stages of anesthesia, as it guarantees that the patient receives adequate ventilation even if their own respiratory drive is insufficient or absent. The key aspect of this mode is that it provides mandatory ventilator breaths while not relying on the patient’s own efforts, allowing for consistent and reliable ventilation support.