Final answer:
Contraindications for using PEEP include untreated bronchopleural fistula and untreated pneumothorax, making the answer B) I and III. Chronic airway obstruction is not a contraindication but requires careful management during PEEP.
Step-by-step explanation:
The contraindications for using positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) in conjunction with mechanical ventilation include untreated bronchopleural fistula and untreated pneumothorax. PEEP can exacerbate these conditions by potentially increasing the size of a fistula or worsening a pneumothorax through the additional pressure in the pleural space. Chronic airway obstruction, while challenging in terms of ventilation management, is not a contraindication for PEEP; instead, it necessitates careful adjustment of ventilation settings. Therefore, the correct answer to the given question is B) I and III, which represents untreated bronchopleural fistula and untreated pneumothorax as contraindications for the use of PEEP.