What it means
A form of noninvasive ventilation. A machine blows air through a tight mask over the nose or nose and mouth, with a higher pressure to help each breath in and a lower pressure that keeps the airways open on the breath out. It helps clients with COPDsee-oh-pee-dee (said as letters)Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a long-term lung disease that makes it hard to move air out of the lungs.chronic long-lastingobstructive blockingpulmon/o lung-ary relating toFull entry flare-ups, hypercapniahy-per-KAP-nee-uhToo much carbon dioxide in the blood, a PaCO2 above 45 mm Hg.hyper- abovecapn/o carbon dioxide-ia conditionFull entry , heart failure with fluid in the lungs and some sleep apnea, and may avoid a breathing tube. BiPAP is a brand name; the general term is BPAP.
For the nurse
Check that the mask fits without large leaks, protect the skin of the nose and face, and watch breathing rate, oxygen saturation and level of alertness. A client who becomes drowsy or confused may be retaining carbon dioxide and needs prompt reporting.
At a glance
| Also written | bilevel positive airway pressure, BPAP, bi-level positive airway pressure |
|---|
Easy to confuse with
CPAP
Continuous positive airway pressure: a steady flow of pressurized air through a mask that keeps the airway open.
Related terms
mechanical ventilation
Breathing support from a machine, a ventilator, that pushes air into the lungs through a tube or a mask.
obstructive sleep apnea
A sleep disorder in which the upper airway closes again and again during sleep, stopping or reducing breathing.
hypercapnia
Too much carbon dioxide in the blood, a PaCO2 above 45 mm Hg.
CPAP
Continuous positive airway pressure: a steady flow of pressurized air through a mask that keeps the airway open.