In managing an acute asthma attack, what oxygen saturation goal should be achieved?

• A. 88-92%
• B. 90-94%
• C. 92-96%
• D. 95-100%

Answer: (D)

In an acute asthma attack, the priority is to ensure adequate oxygen delivery to tissues. This means using oxygen therapy to keep the patient’s oxygen saturation in the normal, high end of the range. Targeting around 95–100% keeps arterial oxygen content sufficient even as breathing is stressed by the attack, reducing the risk of tissue hypoxia and complications that can arise from insufficient oxygen delivery. Continuous monitoring with pulse oximetry guides this, and supplemental oxygen is increased as needed to stay in that high-normal range. Lower targets would risk hypoxemia and worsen outcomes, while aiming for the high-normal range provides a safe margin during the dynamic breathing changes of an asthma flare.