The nurse is caring for a patient who is anxious and dizzy following a traumatic experience. The ABG findings include: pH 7.48, PaO2 110, PaCO2 25, and HCO3 24. The nurse would anticipate which initial intervention to correct this problem?
1. Encourage the patient to breathe in and out slowly into a paper bag.
2. Immediately administer oxygen via a mask and monitor oxygen saturation.
3. Prepare to start intravenous fluid bolus using isotonic fluids.
4. Anticipate the administration of sodium bicarbonate via the IV route.
Encourage the patient to breathe in and out slowly into a paper bag.
Rationale: This patient is exhibiting signs of psychological hyperventilation; blood gases confirm this, showing respiratory alkalosis. Breathing into a paper bag will help the patient to retain carbon dioxide and lower oxygen levels to normal, correcting the cause of the problem. The oxygen levels are high, so oxygen is not indicated, and would exacerbate the problem if given. IV fluids would not be the initial intervention. Not enough information is given to determine the need for IV fluids. Bicarbonate would be contraindicated, as the pH is already high.
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