What is the treatment for hypoxia?

What is the treatment for hypoxia?

• A. Descent to a safe altitude (below 10,000 feet) and administering 100% oxygen
• B. Drinking water
• C. Sitting upright and waiting
• D. Administering aspirin

Answer: (A)

Hypoxia happens when the body doesn’t get enough oxygen because the air at high altitude contains less oxygen. The fastest, most effective treatment is to descend to a safe altitude (below about 10,000 feet) to restore the ambient oxygen level, and to administer 100% oxygen so every breath delivers the maximum possible oxygen to the tissues. Drinking water won’t fix oxygen delivery, sitting upright doesn’t correct the underlying oxygen deficit, and aspirin has no role in treating hypoxia. The goal is to recapture adequate oxygenation as quickly as possible through descent and supplemental oxygen.

Hypoxia happens when the body doesn’t get enough oxygen because the air at high altitude contains less oxygen. The fastest, most effective treatment is to descend to a safe altitude (below about 10,000 feet) to restore the ambient oxygen level, and to administer 100% oxygen so every breath delivers the maximum possible oxygen to the tissues. Drinking water won’t fix oxygen delivery, sitting upright doesn’t correct the underlying oxygen deficit, and aspirin has no role in treating hypoxia. The goal is to recapture adequate oxygenation as quickly as possible through descent and supplemental oxygen.