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

• A. It guarantees a patient-initiated breath
• B. It can cause changes in airway pressure
• C. It always meets the patient's breathing demands
• D. It is the only mode used in emergency situations

Answer: (B)

Volume control ventilation is a mode where a set tidal volume is delivered with each breath, regardless of the patient's own efforts to breathe. One significant limitation of this mode is that it can indeed cause changes in airway pressure. This is because the ventilator is programmed to deliver a specific volume of air; if the patient's lung compliance decreases or if there are obstructions, the pressure required to deliver that volume will increase. High airway pressures can lead to potential complications such as barotrauma or volutrauma, both of which can damage lung tissue.

The other options highlight either features that do not apply to volume control ventilation or misunderstand the context of its use. For instance, patient-initiated breaths are not guaranteed in this mode, as the ventilator is set to deliver breaths regardless of the patient's effort. Similarly, volume control does not inherently meet changing patient demands, especially in fluctuating clinical scenarios, because the set volume may not accommodate the patient's spontaneous breaths. Lastly, while volume control ventilation can be used in emergencies, it is not the only mode available, as there are various other modes tailored to specific clinical needs.