Interventions required to increase SpO2 or decrease dyspnea are aimed at which goals?

Interventions required to increase SpO2 or decrease dyspnea are aimed at which goals?

• A. increase SpO2 and decrease dyspnea
• B. decrease SpO2 and increase dyspnea
• C. increase FiO2 and increase SpO2
• D. decrease FiO2 and decrease SpO2

Answer: (A)

Interventions with oxygen aim to improve oxygen delivery to the body's tissues and relieve the sensation of breathlessness. SpO2 reflects how well hemoglobin is carrying oxygen; when SpO2 increases toward normal, tissues receive more oxygen and the work of breathing often decreases, which reduces dyspnea. So the goals are to raise SpO2 and lessen dyspnea. Achieving this typically involves increasing the inspired oxygen concentration (FiO2) to correct hypoxemia, ensuring the airway is clear and ventilation is adequate, and addressing underlying problems such as ventilation–perfusion mismatch or diffusion limitations. Lowering FiO2 or letting SpO2 fall would worsen oxygen delivery and dyspnea, so they are not targets.

Interventions with oxygen aim to improve oxygen delivery to the body's tissues and relieve the sensation of breathlessness. SpO2 reflects how well hemoglobin is carrying oxygen; when SpO2 increases toward normal, tissues receive more oxygen and the work of breathing often decreases, which reduces dyspnea. So the goals are to raise SpO2 and lessen dyspnea. Achieving this typically involves increasing the inspired oxygen concentration (FiO2) to correct hypoxemia, ensuring the airway is clear and ventilation is adequate, and addressing underlying problems such as ventilation–perfusion mismatch or diffusion limitations. Lowering FiO2 or letting SpO2 fall would worsen oxygen delivery and dyspnea, so they are not targets.