PEEP stands for Positive End-Expiratory Pressure.

PEEP stands for Positive End-Expiratory Pressure.

• A. Positive End-Expiratory Pressure
• B. Peak End-Expiratory Pressure
• C. Positive End-Inspiratory Pressure
• D. Pressure End-Expiration

Answer: (A)

PEEP stands for Positive End-Expiratory Pressure, describing the pressure maintained in the airways at the end of expiration. Positive means the pressure is above atmospheric, End-Expiratory specifies that this occurs at the end of the expiratory phase, and Pressure is the airway pressure itself. This combination is used to keep alveoli open after exhalation, preventing collapse, increasing functional residual capacity, and improving oxygenation during mechanical ventilation. The other options don’t fit because they change one part of the phrase: using Peak instead of End-Expiratory falsely points to a different moment in the breath cycle; End-Inspiratory would refer to pressure at the end of inspiration, not expiration; and a form like Pressure End-Expiration omits the Positive element and mislabels the term.

PEEP stands for Positive End-Expiratory Pressure, describing the pressure maintained in the airways at the end of expiration. Positive means the pressure is above atmospheric, End-Expiratory specifies that this occurs at the end of the expiratory phase, and Pressure is the airway pressure itself. This combination is used to keep alveoli open after exhalation, preventing collapse, increasing functional residual capacity, and improving oxygenation during mechanical ventilation.

The other options don’t fit because they change one part of the phrase: using Peak instead of End-Expiratory falsely points to a different moment in the breath cycle; End-Inspiratory would refer to pressure at the end of inspiration, not expiration; and a form like Pressure End-Expiration omits the Positive element and mislabels the term.