What is the primary purpose of oxygen therapy?

The primary purpose of oxygen therapy is to increase oxygen delivery to the tissues. Oxygen is essential for cellular metabolism and energy production, and when the body doesn’t receive enough oxygen due to respiratory or circulatory issues, oxygen therapy plays a crucial role in maintaining adequate tissue oxygenation. By delivering supplemental oxygen, healthcare providers can ensure that organs and tissues receive the requisite amount of oxygen, which is vital for sustaining bodily functions and promoting recovery.

While decreasing lung pressures, enhancing carbon dioxide elimination, and improving the breathing pattern are important objectives in certain conditions of respiratory distress, they are not the primary purpose of oxygen therapy itself. Instead, the goal is fundamentally focused on oxygenation and ensuring that patients' tissues receive sufficient oxygen to function optimally. This is why option C stands out as the most accurate reflection of the primary goal of oxygen therapy.