The study examined the impact of proactive nursing interventions to prevent risk for recovery in 90 ICU patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). It was a randomized controlled trial according to CONSORT guidelines, where the control group (45 patients) received routine care and the observation group (45 patients) received proactive interventions. The observation group had significantly shorter mechanical ventilation time, ICU stay, and body temperature recovery (P < 0.05). White blood cell (WBC), neutrophil (NC), CRP, IL-4, PCT, and General Comfort Questionnaire (GCQ) psychological comfort scores also improved in all dimensions (all P < 0.05). Patients in the observation group expressed higher satisfaction with nursing interventions (P < 0.05). Proactive interventions shorten the duration of ventilation and ICU stay, reduce inflammatory cytokines, and improve psychological comfort in patients with VAP.