Administering oxygen to divers suspected of decompression illness helps to:

Administering oxygen to divers suspected of decompression illness is primarily beneficial because it enhances the elimination of nitrogen from the body. When divers ascend to the surface, the reduction in pressure can cause nitrogen, which is absorbed by the body at greater depths, to form bubbles in tissues and blood if not managed appropriately. Providing supplemental oxygen increases the partial pressure of oxygen in the bloodstream, which can help hasten the removal of these nitrogen bubbles through a process known as nitrogen washout.

By elevating the partial pressure of oxygen, the body can more effectively metabolize and excrete nitrogen, thus reducing the risk and impact of decompression sickness. Oxygen therapy can also help prevent potential complications related to tissue hypoxia, which can occur if the nitrogen bubbles disrupt blood flow or damage tissues.

The other options do not correctly represent the effects of oxygen therapy in this context. For instance, increasing nitrogen levels in the blood or enhancing carbon dioxide retention would be detrimental and do not occur with the administration of oxygen. Likewise, oxygen therapy does not primarily target hypercapnia, which is related to retaining carbon dioxide, and is not an intended outcome in this scenario. Thus, administering oxygen is a critical intervention for managing decompression illness through the lowering of nitrogen levels in the