What is a sign of improvement within the first 5 minutes of CPAP therapy?

A sign of improvement within the first 5 minutes of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy is indicated by a decrease in heart rate. When CPAP therapy is effectively administered, it helps alleviate the work of breathing by maintaining open airways, which can result in improved oxygenation and ventilation. This alleviation reduces the stress on the cardiovascular system, often leading to a decrease in heart rate as the body shifts from a state of distress to a more stable condition.

During the initial phase of CPAP therapy, clinicians monitor vital signs closely. A decreasing heart rate is a positive sign that indicates that the patient's body is responding well to the therapy, reducing the stress response to hypoxia or respiratory failure. Other choices, such as increased respiratory distress, increased blood pressure, or decreased pulse oximetry readings, would usually signify a lack of improvement or deterioration in the patient's condition, opposing the expected initial benefits of CPAP therapy.