Which devices are commonly used for noninvasive mechanical ventilation?

The correct answer highlights the common devices used for noninvasive mechanical ventilation, which includes Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP).

CPAP provides a constant level of pressure to keep airways open during sleep and is typically used in patients with obstructive sleep apnea or those experiencing hypoventilation. BiPAP, on the other hand, utilizes two different pressure settings: a higher inspiratory pressure for inhalation and a lower expiratory pressure for exhalation. This versatility makes BiPAP suitable for patients who require more assistance with breathing, such as those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or acute respiratory distress.

In contrast, the other options involve either invasive methods or devices not classified under noninvasive ventilation. For instance, invasive ventilators and high-frequency oscillatory devices are primarily used in situations requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation through an endotracheal tube. Nasal cannulas and oxygen masks, while effective for oxygen delivery, do not provide the same level of ventilatory support as CPAP and BiPAP. Standard mechanical ventilators also are not appropriate in the context of noninvasive ventilation as they typically involve invasive techniques. Thus,