A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client about how to prevent the onset of manifestations of Raynaud's phenomenon. Which of the following statements should the nurse identify as an indication that the client needs further teaching?

A. Have the client place their head between their knees:

Placing the head between the knees may help alleviate symptoms of hyperventilation by promoting relaxation and reducing dizziness. This position can help increase venous return to the heart and improve cerebral blood flow, which may reduce symptoms associated with hyperventilation.

B. Plan to administer sodium bicarbonate to the client:

Sodium bicarbonate is not indicated for respiratory alkalosis. It is used to treat metabolic acidosis by increasing plasma bicarbonate levels. Administering sodium bicarbonate to a client with respiratory alkalosis may exacerbate the alkalosis by further increasing the pH of the blood.

C. Plan to administer insulin to the client:

Insulin administration is not indicated for respiratory alkalosis. Insulin is used to manage hyperglycemia in diabetes mellitus and does not address the underlying respiratory condition causing alkalosis.

D. Have the client breathe into a paper bag:

Breathing into a paper bag is a common intervention for managing hyperventilation associated with respiratory alkalosis. Rebreathing exhaled carbon dioxide helps increase carbon dioxide levels in the blood, which can reverse the alkalosis and alleviate symptoms of hyperventilation.

(A) Determine the client’s blood pressure 1 min after each position change: While it’s important to check the client’s blood pressure after each position change when assessing for orthostatic hypotension, this is not the first step. The nurse should first establish a baseline blood pressure reading with the client in a supine position.

(B) Place the client in a sitting position: Although the nurse will eventually need to check the client’s blood pressure in a sitting position, the first step is to get a baseline reading with the client in a supine position.

(C) Assist the client into a standing position: The nurse will eventually assist the client into a standing position to check for changes in blood pressure, but this is not the first step. The initial step is to get a baseline reading with the client in a supine position.

(D) Check the blood pressure with the client in a supine position: This is the most appropriate first step. When checking for orthostatic hypotension, the nurse should first check the client’s blood pressure while they are lying flat (supine). This provides a baseline reading against which subsequent readings (taken when the client is sitting and standing) can be compared. If there’s a significant drop in blood pressure upon standing, this could indicate orthostatic hypotension.