Preliminary planning for intermittent positive-pressure breathing (IPPB) should include which of the following?

1. Evaluating alternative approaches to the patient's problem
2. Setting specific, individual clinical goals or objectives
3. Conducting a baseline assessment of the patient
4. Taking a chest x-ray
a. 1 and 3 only
b. 1 and 4 only
c. 1, 2, and 3 only
d. 2 and 4 only

ANS: C
Effective IPPB requires careful preliminary planning, individualized patient assessment and im-plementation, and thoughtful follow-up. In all three phases of the process, the respiratory thera-pist should work closely with the prescribing physician to determine patient need, select the ap-propriate therapeutic approach, and assess patient progress toward predefined clinical outcomes.