What is a common intervention for a patient experiencing respiratory distress?

Administering oxygen therapy is a critical and common intervention for a patient experiencing respiratory distress because it directly addresses the issue of inadequate oxygenation. When a patient is in respiratory distress, they often exhibit signs of hypoxia, where their body is not receiving enough oxygen to function properly. Providing supplemental oxygen helps to increase the amount of oxygen available to the lungs and subsequently to the bloodstream, which can alleviate symptoms such as shortness of breath, restlessness, and confusion.

Oxygen therapy can be delivered through various means, such as nasal cannulas, simple face masks, or non-rebreather masks, depending on the severity of the distress and the patient's needs. This intervention helps stabilize the patient's oxygen saturation levels, thus improving overall respiratory function and promoting better tissue perfusion and oxygen delivery throughout the body.

In contrast to this, administering sedatives could worsen respiratory distress by further decreasing respiratory drive. Performing chest compressions is a life-saving measure typically reserved for cardiac arrest scenarios rather than respiratory distress. Encouraging deep breathing exercises can be beneficial for some patients but may not be appropriate or effective in acute respiratory distress where immediate oxygen supplementation is needed.