Which of the following is NOT a function of mechanical ventilation?

Mechanical ventilation serves several specific functions, primarily focusing on aiding or taking over the process of breathing for patients who cannot breathe adequately on their own. The creation of artificial respiration is one of the primary functions, allowing for gas exchange to occur when a patient is unable to do so due to respiratory failure or other conditions. Additionally, mechanical ventilation can provide assisted or controlled ventilation, where the machine either helps the patient breathe or fully controls the breathing process depending on the settings and patient needs.

While emergency airway management can involve the use of mechanical ventilation as part of a broader strategy to support or secure a patient’s airway, it is not purely a function of mechanical ventilation itself, but rather a broader category of interventions.

The measurement of vital signs, however, does not fall under the functions of mechanical ventilation. Vital signs are assessed separately using monitoring equipment and devices. Mechanical ventilators do not measure vital signs like heart rate, blood pressure, or temperature; they are specifically designed to manage airflow and oxygen delivery to the lungs. Hence, this option accurately reflects a function that is not associated with mechanical ventilation.