Which of the following is a key component of a ventilator's function?

A key component of a ventilator's function is its role in assisting with breathing. Ventilators are critical devices used in medical settings, particularly for patients who are unable to breathe adequately on their own due to respiratory failure or conditions that impair respiratory function. The main purpose of a ventilator is to deliver oxygen to the lungs and remove carbon dioxide from the body, thereby ensuring that the patient maintains an adequate level of gas exchange.

The ventilator achieves this through various modes of ventilation, which can be adjusted based on the patient's specific needs, such as the volume of air delivered and the rate of breaths. This functionality is essential for maintaining the patient's respiratory stability and preventing complications that can arise from inadequate oxygenation.

While monitoring blood sugar levels, providing nutritional support, and delivering medication are important aspects of comprehensive patient care, they do not pertain directly to the primary function of a ventilator. Thus, the distinction of assisting with breathing is what solidifies option C as the correct answer.