RN Exam Practice
Physiological AdaptationQuestion 228 of 2368

A client having a panic attack is hyperventilating with dizziness and tingling in the hands. Which intervention should the nurse use first?

  1. Have the client rebreathe into a paper bag
  2. Reassure the client and coach slow abdominal breathing
  3. Administer a short-acting benzodiazepine immediately
  4. Place the client in a supine position with the oxygen flow increased
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Correct answer: Reassure the client and coach slow abdominal breathing

Acute care focuses on reassurance, explanation, removing stressors and breathing retraining. Paper bag rebreathing is no longer recommended.

Source: Nursing Fundamentals, 2nd edition (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2024), Fluids and Electrolytes: Respiratory Alkalosis. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Practice the topic "Physiological Adaptation"

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026