Which of the following is a characteristic of volume control ventilation?

• A. Delivers a fixed pressure for each breath
• B. Allows for patient-triggered breaths only
• C. Provides a set tidal volume at a set flow rate
• D. Utilizes only spontaneous breathing

Answer: (C)

Volume control ventilation is characterized primarily by providing a set tidal volume at a specific flow rate for each mechanical breath delivered to the patient. This means that regardless of the patient's attempts to breathe or their specific lung mechanics, the ventilator will ensure that the patient receives a predetermined amount of air, expressed in milliliters, with each breath. This is vital for ensuring consistent ventilation and can be particularly useful in situations where it is crucial to deliver a certain volume of air to the patient, such as in cases of acute respiratory distress or in patients with compromised lung compliance.

In this mode, the ventilator actively controls the volume delivered, which can help maintain adequate ventilation and prevent hypoventilation. The flow rate can also impact the comfort of the patient; however, the key feature of volume control is that the tidal volume remains constant as set by the clinician, regardless of changes in airway resistance or lung compliance.

The other options describe different features that do not apply to volume control mode. For instance, a fixed pressure for each breath pertains to pressure control ventilation, and patient-triggered breaths are characteristic of modes that allow the patient to initiate their breaths, rather than being strictly volume-controlled. Spontaneous breathing relates more to modes that support patient-initiated