Final answer:
CPAP is used to prevent the need for intubation in patients with sleep apnea by delivering pressurized air through a mask, helping to keep the airway open during sleep.
Step-by-step explanation:
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is often used to avoid the need to place an intubation tube on or in the patient. CPAP devices help maintain open airways in patients suffering from sleep apnea, a disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep due to physical blockages of airflow. The CPAP machine delivers pressurized air through a mask that fits over the nose or both the nose and mouth, which can reduce or eliminate the need for more invasive procedures like intubation, where a tube must be inserted into the patient’s airway to ensure proper breathing.