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Anesthesia · single question

A patient is hyperventilating in the dental chair. What is the best management?

  1. Have the patient cup the hands over the nose/mouth (or breathe into a bag) to rebreathe CO2 and coach slow breathing
  2. Administer 100% oxygen by mask
  3. Simply tell the patient to calm down
  4. Lay the patient flat and elevate the legs
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Correct answer: A. Have the patient cup the hands over the nose/mouth (or breathe into a bag) to rebreathe CO2 and coach slow breathing

Hyperventilation causes respiratory alkalosis from blowing off CO2; management is to slow breathing and rebreathe exhaled CO2 (cupped hands or paper bag) while calmly reassuring the patient. Oxygen is generally NOT given because the problem is low CO2, not low oxygen.Other options: Supplemental oxygen does not correct the low CO2 and may not help; verbal reassurance alone is insufficient; positioning does not address the CO2 imbalance.Key exam takeaway: Hyperventilation = rebreathe CO2 (cupped hands/bag) and coach slow breathing; do not give oxygen.

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