Why might a technician choose to increase the pressure during a CPAP titration?

Increasing the pressure during a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) titration is primarily aimed at eliminating residual respiratory events. In cases of obstructive sleep apnea, the goal of CPAP therapy is to maintain an open airway by providing a constant stream of air. If residual respiratory events, such as apneas or hypopneas, are observed during titration, adjusting the pressure upward can help to further optimize the level of airway support and effectively eliminate these events.

This adjustment ensures that the pressure is set at a therapeutic level sufficient to prevent airway collapse during sleep, thereby enhancing the efficacy of treatment. Monitoring these events closely allows the technician to find the optimal pressure that achieves the best therapeutic outcome for the patient.

The other options, while related to patient care, do not directly address the primary purpose of adjusting CPAP pressure during titration. Increasing pressure is not typically done for comfort, preventing device malfunction, or ensuring mask fit, but rather for achieving adequate airway patency and minimizing respiratory disturbances.