What function does a ventilator serve in medical settings?

A ventilator serves the critical function of providing positive pressure for breathing, ensuring that patients who are unable to breathe adequately on their own receive the necessary airflow to maintain oxygen levels and remove carbon dioxide. This is particularly important in situations where patients experience respiratory distress or failure, as the ventilator can support their breathing needs by mechanically assisting or completely controlling the breathing process.

In contrast, monitoring heart rates is a function typically associated with cardiac monitors or electrocardiograms, which are designed to provide real-time data about a patient’s cardiac condition. Delivering medication through inhalation may occur via nebulizers or inhalers rather than a ventilator, which is primarily focused on airflow and oxygenation. Assessing patient mobility involves different types of assessments and is not within the purview of a ventilator's function, which is strictly respiratory support.