Specific clinical objectives of oxygen (O2) therapy include which of the following?

1. Decrease the symptoms caused by chronic hypoxemia.
2. Decrease the workload hypoxemia imposes on the heart and lungs.
3. Correct documented arterial hypoxemia.
4. Correct documented respiratory acidosis.
a. 2 and 4 only
b. 3 and 4 only
c. 1 and 3 only
d. 1, 2, and 3 only

ANS: D
Specific clinical objectives of O2 therapy are to (1) correct documented or suspected acute hy-poxemia, (2) decrease the symptoms associated with chronic hypoxemia, and (3) decrease the workload hypoxemia imposes on the cardiopulmonary system.