Final answer:
Mechanical ventilation is generally superior to manual ventilation, but in patients with restrictive diseases like respiratory distress syndrome and pulmonary fibrosis, manual ventilation may be more effective due to decreased lung compliance and the unique respiratory challenges these patients face.
Step-by-step explanation:
There is accumulating evidence that mechanical ventilation is superior to manual ventilation except in patients with certain restrictive diseases, such as respiratory distress syndrome and pulmonary fibrosis. In these conditions, the lung tissue is fibrotic and less compliant, meaning it cannot bend and move as it should. This leads to a decrease in pulmonary compliance, trapping air in the lungs upon exhalation. The increased intrapleural pressure and reduced forced vital capacity (FVC) in these patients can make manual ventilation more effective for them, as mechanical ventilation might not accommodate the unique challenges of their restrictive lung condition.
Concerns about health care associated infections are also relevant when discussing mechanical ventilation, as the equipment, if contaminated, can introduce bacteria to patients, which is particularly dangerous for those with weakened respiratory systems such as those with cystic fibrosis.