How does pressure control ventilation affect the risk of barotrauma?

Pressure control ventilation minimizes the risk of barotrauma due to its inherent mechanism of regulating airway pressures during mechanical ventilation. In this mode, the ventilator is set to deliver breaths at a predetermined pressure level, rather than a specific volume. This means that as the lungs reach the set pressure limit, the ventilator stops delivering air, regardless of the tidal volume achieved.

As a result, this helps to prevent excessive airway pressures that could potentially lead to over-distension of the lungs, which is one of the main causes of barotrauma. In contrast, volume-controlled ventilation can lead to higher pressures if lung compliance decreases, inadvertently increasing the risk for barotrauma. Therefore, pressure control ventilation offers a safer approach by limiting peak pressures, thus reducing the likelihood of injuring the alveoli and surrounding structures.

Other options do not appropriately reflect the benefits of pressure control ventilation with regard to barotrauma risk.