Which control parameter caps the maximum pressure delivered to the airways during inspiration?

• A. Flow Limit
• B. Pressure Limit
• C. Time Cycling
• D. Volume Cycling

Answer: (B)

The setting that directly caps the maximum pressure delivered during inspiration is the pressure limit. This parameter establishes an upper bound on airway pressure, acting as a safety valve to prevent barotrauma by stopping or limiting flow once the preset pressure is reached.

Flow limit controls how fast gas can enter the airways, shaping the pressure with time but not defining a hard ceiling on pressure. Time cycling determines how long the inspiratory phase lasts, while volume cycling ends inspiration after a set tidal volume; neither inherently sets a maximum pressure.