Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Prep Resource

Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation (IMV) is indeed not considered a type of non-invasive respiratory support. Instead, IMV is a mode of mechanical ventilation that combines both mandatory breaths delivered by the ventilator and spontaneous breaths initiated by the patient. This type of ventilation typically requires the use of an endotracheal tube or another form of invasive airway support, making it an invasive method requiring close monitoring and often sedation.

In contrast, High-Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC) and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) are both forms of non-invasive respiratory support. HFNC provides heated and humidified oxygen at high flow rates to help improve oxygenation, while CPAP delivers a continuous flow of air to keep the airways open, effectively preventing atelectasis and improving oxygenation without the need for invasive intubation. The Synchronized Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation (SIMV) option is similarly invasive, as it synchronizes mandatory breaths with the patient's efforts but still requires an artificial airway. Thus, the distinction here lies in the invasiveness, where IMV stands out as requiring an invasive airway, unlike the other options listed.