Which device delivers a steady stream of pressurized air to treat obstructive sleep apnea?

• A. BiPAP
• B. CPAP
• C. APAP
• D. NIV

Answer: (B)

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure therapy delivers a fixed, constant pressure throughout the night. That steady pressure acts like a “splint” to keep the upper airway open, preventing collapse and reducing obstructive events. This is why it best fits the description of delivering a steady stream of pressurized air to treat obstructive sleep apnea.

BiPAP provides two pressures—higher during inhalation and lower during exhalation—so the flow isn’t constant. Auto-adjusting APAP shifts pressure in response to detected events, also not constant. NIV is a broader term for noninvasive ventilatory support and can include devices with variable pressures; it’s not inherently the steady-pressure approach described.