An 18-year-old high school student arrives at a local blood drive center to donate blood for the first time. As the site is being prepared for needle insertion, the student becomes agitated, starts to hyperventilate, and complains of dizziness and tingling of the hands. What should the nurse instruct the student to do?

An 18-year-old high school student arrives at a local blood drive center to donate blood for the first time. As the site is being prepared for needle insertion, the student becomes agitated, starts to hyperventilate, and complains of dizziness and tingling of the hands. What should the nurse instruct the student to do?

• A. Breathe into cupped hands
• B. Pant using rapid, shallow breaths
• C. Use a rapid deep-breathing pattern
• D. Hold the breath for as long as possible

Answer: (A)

When a patient becomes anxious and hyperventilates, they blow off CO2, causing respiratory alkalosis that leads to dizziness and tingling in the hands. The goal is to raise CO2 levels to reverse those symptoms. Breathing into cupped hands rebreaths some of the exhaled air, increasing CO2 and helping restore normal pH and cerebral blood flow. This simple technique is safer and more effective in this situation than rapid shallow breathing, rapid deep breathing, or holding the breath, which can worsen alkalosis or fail to correct the CO2 deficit. Have the student cup their hands and breathe normally through them until the symptoms improve, then encourage slow, calm breathing and reassurance to reduce anxiety.

When a patient becomes anxious and hyperventilates, they blow off CO2, causing respiratory alkalosis that leads to dizziness and tingling in the hands. The goal is to raise CO2 levels to reverse those symptoms. Breathing into cupped hands rebreaths some of the exhaled air, increasing CO2 and helping restore normal pH and cerebral blood flow. This simple technique is safer and more effective in this situation than rapid shallow breathing, rapid deep breathing, or holding the breath, which can worsen alkalosis or fail to correct the CO2 deficit. Have the student cup their hands and breathe normally through them until the symptoms improve, then encourage slow, calm breathing and reassurance to reduce anxiety.