Question

A client is hospitalized with posterior nasal bleeding and has a gauze pack in the posterior nasal cavity. the nurse assesses the client and notes restlessness and anxiety and an oxygen saturation of 92%. which initial action by the nurse is correct? 1

Answer 1

The best initial step would be to try calming the patient down. Since the patient is restless and anxious, he or she may be hyperventilating and therefore, blowing out too much CO2. The nurse should tell the patient to take nice, deep breaths through the mouth, and if necessary, have the patient breath into a brown paper bag to restore the acid/base imbalance.