🩺 Nursing Question of the Day

Challenge yourself with one exam-style nursing question every day.

✅ Think carefully • ✅ Choose your answer • ✅ Then scroll down to check the explanation.

🫁 PEEP & Prevention of Microatelectasis

✅ Answer: (A) Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)

📖 What is Microatelectasis?

Micro = Very small
Atelectasis = Collapse of alveoli

👉 Microatelectasis refers to the collapse or closure of small groups of alveoli, reducing the available surface area for gas exchange.

It can occur when alveoli are not adequately maintained open, particularly during expiration.

🫁 Why is Option A Correct?

Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) maintains positive pressure in the airways at the end of expiration.

This helps prevent small alveoli from collapsing and keeps them recruited for gas exchange.

👉 Therefore, PEEP is the best answer.

📖 How Does PEEP Work?

During normal expiration, airway pressure falls and some small alveoli may tend to close. PEEP provides a level of pressure that remains in the airways at the end of expiration.

This increases functional residual capacity (FRC), helps recruit previously collapsed alveoli, and improves ventilation-perfusion matching.

❌ Why Are the Other Options Wrong?

A. Positive End-Expiratory Pressure
✅ Correct. PEEP maintains airway pressure during expiration and helps prevent alveolar collapse.

B. Non-rebreather Mask
❌ Provides a high concentration of supplemental oxygen but does not provide the sustained positive end-expiratory pressure needed to prevent alveolar collapse.

C. Nasal Cannula
❌ Provides low-flow supplemental oxygen. It does not reliably maintain positive pressure in the alveoli.

D. Venturi Mask
❌ Delivers a controlled and predictable oxygen concentration, but it does not provide therapeutic PEEP.

📝 Quick Comparison

📌 Exam Tip: When a question asks which intervention prevents microatelectasis or alveolar collapse, think PEEP. It maintains positive pressure at the end of expiration and helps keep alveoli recruited.