Platinum Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic (EMTP) 3.3 Practice Test

CPAP works best when the patient can cooperate with the mask and protect their airway, and when their cardiovascular system can tolerate the added intrathoracic pressure. If blood pressure is inadequate or perfusion is poor, the positive pressure can further reduce venous return and cardiac output, worsening stability. If the patient is unconscious or unable to protect the airway, there’s a high risk of airway obstruction or aspiration, making CPAP unsafe. So CPAP is appropriate only when the patient is conscious, cooperative, and hemodynamically stable with an airway that can be protected.