Which of the following are contraindications for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy? 1. Hemodynamic instability 2. Hypoventilation 3. Facial trauma 4. Low intracranial pressures

a. 1 and 3 only
b. 2 and 3 only
c. 1, 2, and 3 only
d. 2, 3, and 4 only

ANS: C
The patient who is hemodynamically unstable is not likely to tolerate CPAP for even a short pe-riod of time. The patient who is suspected of having hypoventilation is not a good candidate for CPAP because it does not ensure ventilation. Other problems that may indicate that CPAP is not an appropriate therapy include nausea, facial trauma, untreated pneumothorax, and elevated in-tracranial pressure.