Which treatment strategy is best for a patient exhibiting increased shortness of breath and an SPO2 level below normal?

Providing supplemental oxygen is the best treatment strategy for a patient exhibiting increased shortness of breath and a low oxygen saturation level (SPO2). When a patient experiences shortness of breath, it often indicates that they are not getting enough oxygen to meet their body's needs. Supplemental oxygen can help improve the oxygen levels in the blood, alleviate the patient's discomfort, and enhance overall respiratory function.

In situations where a patient's SPO2 is below normal, administering oxygen is a critical and immediate intervention to ensure that vital organs receive adequate oxygen. This can be especially vital in emergencies such as exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma attacks, or pulmonary edema, where oxygen delivery is compromised.

Other options like administering steroids may be useful in certain inflammatory conditions affecting the airway but are not immediate solutions for correcting low SPO2 levels. Encouraging coughing might help remove secretions in some cases but is less effective for addressing hypoxia directly. Applying heat packs has no relevance in treating respiratory distress and is not beneficial for improving oxygenation. Thus, supplemental oxygen directly addresses the low oxygenization problem, making it the most appropriate and effective treatment in this scenario.