Final answer:
Respiratory alkalosis occurs when the blood is overly alkaline due to hyperventilation. One nursing action to relieve this condition is to have the client breathe into a paper bag to increase carbon dioxide levels in the blood.
Step-by-step explanation:
Respiratory alkalosis occurs when the blood is overly alkaline due to a deficiency in carbonic acid and CO2 levels in the blood. This condition usually occurs when too much CO2 is exhaled from the lungs, as occurs in hyperventilation, which is breathing that is deeper or more frequent than normal. An elevated respiratory rate leading to hyperventilation can be due to extreme emotional upset or fear, fever, infections, hypoxia, or abnormally high levels of catecholamines, such as epinephrine and norepinephrine.
To relieve respiratory alkalosis, the nursing action would be to have the client breathe into a paper bag. Breathing into a paper bag increases the carbon dioxide levels in the blood, helping to restore the acid-base balance.