Abstract
Premature delivery is often a failure of transition to create an early Functional Residual Capacity (FRC) and therefore
preterm infants frequently need a respiratory support. To reduce the occurrence or severity of respiratory distress,
neonatologists have to plan an optimal respiratory strategy from the first breath and within the “working-team” the nurses
play a crucial role. Since duration of mechanical ventilation via the ET seems related to Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
(BPD), clinicians are increasingly using non invasive respiratory supports (e.g. n-CPAP and Non-Invasive VentilationNIV)
to try to protect the preterm infant’s lungs. Nurses are essential fundamental in choosing the best fitted devices and
interfaces (e.g. hat, prongs), in protecting skin from infections, in taking a continuous care of the neonate to avoid nasal
trauma, in maintaining and protecting parental bonding. The success of non-invasive respiratory support improves with
staff experience and it is recognized that there is an urgent need for continuous education of nursing staff in preventing
failure of non-invasive respiratory support.
Key words
Nurse, Non-invasive respiratory support, Preterm infants