Final answer:
The typical HME, which stands for Heat and Moisture Exchanger, is a hygroscopic (option b) humidifier used in mechanical ventilation to warm and humidify inhaled air by capturing the patient's exhaled heat and moisture.
Step-by-step explanation:
The typical HME is a heat and moisture exchanger designed for mechanically ventilated patients to help with their breathing. There are different types of HMEs, but the correct answer for the typical HME is a Hygroscopic humidifier.
HME stands for Heat and Moisture Exchanger, and it is a device used in managing the respiratory needs of patients who require mechanical ventilation. The hygroscopic humidifier works by capturing the patient's exhaled heat and moisture, which is then used to warm and humidify the inhaled air. This process helps in preventing the drying out of the airways and maintains optimal respiratory condition.
This type of humidifier contains a hygroscopic salt or compound that readily absorbs and retains moisture from the exhaled air. When the air cycles back, it picks up this moisture, ensuring that the air inhaled is appropriately humidified.