What should be monitored to indicate effective use of CPAP?

Monitoring SP02 levels is crucial when assessing the effective use of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) because this measurement directly indicates how well oxygen is being delivered to the patient's lungs. The primary purpose of CPAP is to maintain open airways and improve oxygenation, particularly in patients experiencing conditions such as respiratory distress or failure, obstructive sleep apnea, and pulmonary edema.

If SP02 levels improve or remain stable after the initiation of CPAP therapy, it indicates that the device is effectively enhancing oxygenation and ventilation. An increase in SP02 levels typically suggests that the CPAP is helping improve gas exchange in the lungs, which is the therapeutic goal of using this intervention.

Other factors such as patient weight, heart rate, and body temperature can provide additional information about the patient's overall condition but do not serve as direct indicators of CPAP effectiveness. For instance, while heart rate might fluctuate due to anxiety or respiratory distress, it does not specifically reflect the success of CPAP in improving oxygenation. Similarly, body temperature and weight are not relevant measures for evaluating the immediate impact of CPAP on respiratory function. Therefore, SP02 levels remain the most informative parameter to monitor during the application of CPAP.