What medication is given to a patient who is hypoxic?

Oxygen is administered to a patient who is hypoxic because it serves to increase the oxygen concentration in the blood and enhance the delivery of oxygen to the tissues. Hypoxia indicates that the body or a specific part of the body is not receiving adequate oxygen, which can lead to serious complications if not promptly addressed. Providing supplemental oxygen helps to restore sufficient levels of oxygen, alleviating symptoms of hypoxia such as shortness of breath, confusion, or cyanosis.

In contrast, the other medications listed serve different purposes. Nitroglycerin is primarily used for chest pain associated with angina or myocardial infarction due to its ability to dilate blood vessels. Oral glucose is utilized for patients with low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) to provide a quick source of glucose. Low dose aspirin is often given to patients experiencing chest pain related to cardiac issues to inhibit platelet aggregation and reduce the risk of clot formation. Therefore, when addressing hypoxia, the administration of oxygen is the most appropriate and effective intervention.