Final answer:
The application of pressure above atmospheric at the airway during expiration in mechanical ventilation is known as positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), which helps maintain open airways and improve oxygenation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The application of pressure above atmospheric at the airway throughout expiration during mechanical ventilation is called positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). This method is used in mechanical ventilation to prevent alveolar collapse at the end of expiration and to improve oxygenation. Positive pressure at the end of expiration helps to keep the airways open, which can prevent atelectasis and improve gas exchange in the lungs.