What is the main purpose of administering oxygen in emergencies?

Administering oxygen in emergencies primarily aims to enhance oxygen delivery to vital organs. In critical situations, such as respiratory distress or cardiac events, the body may not receive sufficient oxygen due to impaired lung function, reduced blood flow, or other factors. Providing supplemental oxygen helps to ensure that essential organs, including the heart and brain, receive adequate oxygen levels. This is crucial for cellular metabolism and function, especially during emergencies when the body’s demand for oxygen may be significantly elevated.

The other options, while related to overall patient care, do not accurately reflect the primary purpose of oxygen administration in emergencies. Increasing blood pressure may be relevant in specific cases but is not the fundamental role of oxygen. Sedating a patient can be necessary in some contexts, but sedation is not the main focus when providing oxygen. Preventing shock is important in emergency care, but oxygen delivery specifically targets enhancing oxygenation rather than shock prevention itself. Therefore, the enhancement of oxygen delivery to vital organs remains the central reason for administering oxygen during emergencies.