A client is hyperventilating due to an acute psychologic stressor. The arterial blood gas results show that the client is in respiratory alkalosis. What is the nurse's initial intervention?
Administer an intravenous sedative
Assess the client for seizure activity
Assist the client in slowed breathing techniques
Check the client's blood pressure
The Correct Answer is C
C. Assisting the client in slowed breathing techniques is the most appropriate initial intervention for a client experiencing hyperventilation due to acute psychological stress. Slowed breathing techniques, such as pursed-lip breathing or diaphragmatic breathing, can help normalize respiratory rate and depth, thereby correcting the respiratory alkalosis. Encouraging the client to breathe slowly and deeply can help reduce the respiratory rate and restore a more balanced acid-base status.
A. Administering a sedative may not be the initial intervention for a client experiencing hyperventilation due to acute psychological stress. Sedatives can depress the respiratory drive further and may exacerbate respiratory alkalosis. Additionally, administering sedatives should be based on a comprehensive assessment and medical prescription, rather than as a first-line intervention for hyperventilation.
B. While hyperventilation can sometimes lead to symptoms resembling seizure activity (such as muscle twitching or numbness), assessing for seizure activity is not typically the initial intervention for respiratory alkalosis. In the context of acute psychological stress causing hyperventilation, addressing the hyperventilation itself is the priority.
D. While monitoring vital signs, including blood pressure, is important in assessing the client's overall condition, it is not the initial intervention specifically for addressing respiratory alkalosis due to hyperventilation. The priority in this situation is to address the hyperventilation itself through appropriate breathing techniques.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
B. Elevating the head of the bed to 30-45 degrees is the recommended position for administering enteral feeding to reduce the risk of aspiration. This semi-upright position helps promote gastric emptying and reduces the likelihood of reflux or regurgitation of the feed into the lungs. It also allows for better tolerance of the feeding and minimizes the risk of complications.
A. Positioning the client on the left side with the knees bent is not typically recommended for enteral feeding. This position may increase the risk of aspiration, especially if the client has impaired swallowing or if there are issues with gastric emptying. It may also not be the most comfortable or practical position for administering enteral feeding.
C. Positioning the client on the right side with a pillow behind the back is not a standard practice for administering enteral feeding. This position may not provide optimal access for administering the feed, and it does not offer the benefits of head elevation to reduce the risk of aspiration.
D. Elevating the head of the bed to only 15 degrees may not provide sufficient upright positioning to reduce the risk of aspiration during enteral feeding. While it is better than lying completely flat, a higher degree of elevation (30-45 degrees) is generally recommended for optimal safety and effectiveness of enteral feeding.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. In respiratory alkalosis, the pH is elevated (alkalotic), the PaCO2 (partial pressure of carbon dioxide) is decreased (hypocapnia), and the HCO3 (bicarbonate) level may be within normal limits or slightly decreased due to compensatory mechanisms. In this option, the pH is elevated (7.54), the PaCO2 is decreased (25), and the HCO3 level is within normal limits (24). These findings support respiratory alkalosis.
B. pH 7.50, PaCO2 40, HCO3 28: In this option, the pH is elevated (7.50), the PaCO2 is within normal limits (40), and the HCO3 level is elevated (28). These findings are not consistent with respiratory alkalosis. Instead, they suggest metabolic alkalosis, where both the pH and bicarbonate levels are elevated.
C. pH 7.35, PaCO2 35, HCO3 22: In this option, the pH is within normal limits (7.35), the PaCO2 is within normal limits (35), and the HCO3 level is within normal limits (22). These findings are not consistent with respiratory alkalosis.
D. pH 7.32. PaCO2 48, HCO3 24: In respiratory alkalosis, the pH is elevated (alkalotic), the PaCO2 is decreased (hypocapnia), and the HCO3 level may be within normal limits or slightly decreased due to compensatory mechanisms. In this option, the pH is within normal limits (7.32), the PaCO2 is elevated (48), and the HCO3 level is within normal limits (24). These findings are not consistent with respiratory alkalosis.
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