A nurse is preparing to administer amoxicillin 100 mg PO every 8 hr to a toddler who weighs 20 kg. The recommended dosage range is 20 to 25 mg/kg/day. Which of the following actions by the nurse is appropriate?

A. Abdominal pain is not a direct manifestation of respiratory acidosis. However, it may be associated with other conditions or complications but is not a primary indicator of respiratory acidosis.
B. Lethargy or drowsiness is a common symptom of respiratory acidosis. The increased CO₂ levels lead to an acidic environment that can affect brain function, resulting in decreased alertness, confusion, or drowsiness.
C. Numbness or tingling of the fingers is more commonly associated with respiratory alkalosis, which is characterized by a decreased level of CO₂ and increased blood pH. This condition can cause peripheral numbness and tingling due to altered blood pH affecting nerve function.
D. Dry skin is not a direct manifestation of respiratory acidosis. While it might be a sign of dehydration or other systemic issues, it is not specifically linked to respiratory acidosis.

A. Sodium bicarbonate is used to treat metabolic acidosis, not respiratory alkalosis. It helps to neutralize excess acid in the blood, which is not the issue in respiratory alkalosis where the problem is a deficit of CO₂, not an excess of acid.
B. Placing the head between the knees might help with dizziness or lightheadedness but does not address the underlying issue of hyperventilation or help with CO₂ retention.
C. Breathing into a paper bag can help the client re-breathe exhaled CO₂, which helps to correct the imbalance caused by hyperventilation. This method assists in raising CO₂ levels in the blood, which can help normalize the pH and alleviate symptoms of respiratory alkalosis.
D. Insulin is used to manage blood glucose levels in diabetes and is not relevant to the treatment of respiratory alkalosis.