A woman in the active phase of the first stage of labor is using a shallow pattern of breathing,which is approximately twice the normal adult breathing rate.She starts to complain about feeling lightheaded and dizzy and states that her fingers are tingling.Which intervention should the nurse immediately initiate?
A) Contact the woman's physician.
B) Tell the woman to slow her pace of her breathing.
C) Administer oxygen via a mask or nasal cannula.
D) Help her breathe into a paper bag.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This woman is experiencing the side effects of hyperventilation,which include the symptoms of lightheadedness,dizziness,tingling of the fingers,or circumoral numbness.Having the woman breathe into a paper bag held tightly around her mouth and nose may eliminate respiratory alkalosis and enable her to rebreathe carbon dioxide and replace the bicarbonate ion.

A Woman in the Active Phase of the First Stage