What is plateau pressure?

What is plateau pressure?

• A. Pressure reached at the end of inspiration
• B. Pressure during expiration
• C. Pressure in the alveoli at end expiration
• D. Pressure in the ventilator circuit during inspiration

Answer: (A)

Plateau pressure is the pressure in the alveoli when there is no gas flow, measured by an inspiratory hold at the end of an inspiration. This pause stops flow so airway resistance doesn’t affect the reading, leaving you with the distending pressure that reflects lung compliance. It’s used to assess how stiff the lungs are and the risk of barotrauma, guiding ventilation settings to keep it typically under about 30 cm H2O. The other descriptions refer to pressures during active flow (peak inspiratory pressure) or at the end of expiration (end-expiratory pressure/PEEP), not plateau.

Plateau pressure is the pressure in the alveoli when there is no gas flow, measured by an inspiratory hold at the end of an inspiration. This pause stops flow so airway resistance doesn’t affect the reading, leaving you with the distending pressure that reflects lung compliance. It’s used to assess how stiff the lungs are and the risk of barotrauma, guiding ventilation settings to keep it typically under about 30 cm H2O. The other descriptions refer to pressures during active flow (peak inspiratory pressure) or at the end of expiration (end-expiratory pressure/PEEP), not plateau.