What is the purpose of administering oxygen to a patient?

Administering oxygen to a patient primarily serves to improve the delivery of oxygen to body tissues, particularly in situations involving respiratory distress. When a patient is experiencing difficulty breathing or has compromised lung function, their capacity to absorb enough oxygen can be severely limited, which may lead to hypoxia (a deficiency in the amount of oxygen reaching the tissues). By supplying additional oxygen, medical personnel can help alleviate this condition, enhancing the oxygen content in the bloodstream, ensuring that vital organs and tissues receive the necessary oxygen for proper functioning.

The other options, while important in their own right, do not align with the primary objective of oxygen administration. Promoting relaxation and numbing pain relate to different aspects of patient care, often involving medications rather than oxygen therapy. Reducing fever is typically addressed through antipyretics and does not involve oxygen administration as a method of treatment. Thus, option A accurately reflects the critical role oxygen plays in medical situations, highlighting its importance in maintaining cellular health and supporting metabolic processes.