What does NPPV stand for?

• A. Noninvasive Passive Pressure Ventilation
• B. Noninvasive Pulmonary Pressure Ventilation
• C. Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation
• D. Noninvasive Patient Pressure Ventilation

Answer: (C)

Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation describes delivering ventilatory support through a mask or similar interface without inserting a breathing tube, using pressurized air to help move air in and out of the lungs. The “noninvasive” part means no endotracheal tube, and “positive pressure ventilation” refers to the way air is pushed into the lungs rather than relying on the patient’s own breathing alone. This term underpins common sleep and respiratory support therapies like CPAP and BiPAP. The other options use terms that aren’t the standard way this modality is described—Passive implies no active air delivery, Pulmonary Pressure isn’t the recognized descriptor, and Patient Pressure inaccurately places the terminology. Therefore, the correct expansion is Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation.