Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Prep Resource

The correct answer highlights the fundamental definitions and functions of PIP and PEEP in neonatal respiratory care. PIP, or peak inspiratory pressure, is the maximum pressure reached during inhalation while delivering positive pressure ventilation. This parameter is crucial because it helps to assess the pressure needed to expand the lungs and the overall resistance of the airways during the inspiratory phase.

On the other hand, PEEP, or positive end-expiratory pressure, is the pressure maintained in the airways at the end of expiration. PEEP prevents the complete collapse of the alveoli at the end of exhalation, which aids in maintaining functional residual capacity and improving oxygenation. Understanding this distinction is critical for managing respiratory support in neonates, as it directly relates to the strategies used for ventilatory support and optimizing gas exchange.

This contrast clearly establishes the roles of PIP and PEEP in respiratory mechanics, emphasizing that while PIP measures the peak inspiratory pressure during active lung inflation, PEEP ensures that there’s still pressure in the lungs at the end of expiration to maintain alveolar open status. Recognizing these differences enables healthcare providers to appropriately use these measurements to assess and manage ventilation and oxygenation in neonatal patients.