Respiratory failure can occur due to hypoxemic failure, hypercapnic (ventilatory) failure, or impaired airways. Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) delivers breaths through a tight-fitting mask and can treat various causes of respiratory failure without needing intubation. The first 30 minutes of NIV require close monitoring as clinicians work to improve gas exchange and comfort while watching for signs that intubation is needed instead. NIV is effective for acute exacerbations of COPD and cardiogenic pulmonary edema when criteria are met.