Which device is used to assist with breathing in patients?

A ventilator is a medical device specifically designed to assist patients with breathing, either by delivering oxygen directly into the lungs or by providing full mechanical ventilation when a patient is unable to breathe adequately on their own. It works by controlling the rate, volume, and pressure of air delivered to the patient, ensuring that they receive sufficient oxygenation and ventilation to support their respiratory needs. This makes it crucial for patients suffering from conditions such as respiratory failure, severe pneumonia, or during surgeries requiring anesthesia.

In contrast, a defibrillator's primary function is to restore a normal heart rhythm during cardiac arrest by delivering an electric shock. A pulse oximeter is used to measure the oxygen saturation level in a patient's blood, providing important information about respiratory efficiency but not assisting with breathing directly. An ECG machine monitors the electrical activity of the heart, which is vital for diagnosing cardiac issues but does not assist with respiration. Thus, the ventilator is distinctly established as the device used for aiding breathing in patients.