Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 86%
Simulated
A nurse is caring for a client who has respiratory alkalosis and is hyperventilating. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Correct answer
A
Rationale
The correct action is to have the client breathe into a paper bag. When a client is hyperventilating with respiratory alkalosis, they are blowing off too much CO2, causing their blood pH to rise. Breathing into a paper bag helps the client re-breathe some of the exhaled CO2, which can help normalize their blood pH levels by increasing CO2 levels. Administering insulin (Choice B) is not indicated for respiratory alkalosis. Administering sodium bicarbonate (Choice C) would worsen the alkalosis. Having the client place their head between their knees (Choice D) would not address the underlying issue of respiratory alkalosis.