Which medical gas is often used to improve oxygenation in patients with severe hypoxemia?

Oxygen is the medical gas commonly used to improve oxygenation in patients experiencing severe hypoxemia. Hypoxemia refers to low levels of oxygen in the blood, which can lead to significant health problems and complications. Administering supplemental oxygen increases the amount of oxygen available for the body to use, thus enhancing oxygen delivery to tissues and organs.

In clinical settings, oxygen supplementation is crucial for managing various respiratory conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). By providing additional oxygen, healthcare providers can help alleviate symptoms, improve oxygen saturation levels, and support overall patient recovery.

The other gases listed do not have the same therapeutic role for hypoxemia. Nitrous oxide is primarily used for its anesthetic and analgesic properties, while argon and krypton have no significant role in improving oxygenation and are not utilized in treating hypoxemia. Their applications are more limited and specific to situations outside of oxygen therapy.