What is the main use of therapeutic gases?

The main use of therapeutic gases is to relieve symptoms and improve oxygenation of patients with hypoxemia. Hypoxemia refers to a deficiency in the amount of oxygen reaching the tissues, which can lead to serious health complications. Therapeutic gases, such as oxygen, are critical in medical settings to ensure that patients receive adequate oxygen supply, especially during respiratory distress, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other conditions that impair normal respiratory function.

In medical contexts, administering oxygen can improve a patient's oxygen saturation levels, facilitating cellular metabolism and helping to alleviate symptoms related to lack of oxygen, such as confusion, shortness of breath, or lethargy. The goal is to restore normal physiological function and enhance the overall well-being of the patient, making the correct emphasis on therapeutic gases being integral for treatment in hypoxemic conditions.

While other options, such as providing anesthetic effects, might involve gases like nitrous oxide, their primary role is not classified under therapeutic uses aimed at oxygenation. Laboratory testing and industrial applications also utilize gases but do so in contexts that do not focus on direct patient care and symptom relief. Thus, the focus on improving oxygenation and addressing hypoxemia accurately captures the essence of therapeutic gas administration in healthcare.