Final answer:
A CPCT should calmly reassure a hyperventilating patient during a stress test, encourage slow and deep breathing, monitor vital signs, and potentially pause or stop the test for further medical evaluation if necessary.
Step-by-step explanation:
During a stress test, if a Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) notices a patient appears to be hyperventilating, an appropriate course of action is to first reassure the patient in a calm manner. Hyperventilation can lead to abnormally low blood carbon dioxide levels and a high (alkaline) blood pH; if left unchecked, this could potentially disrupt the test results and the patient's well-being. The CPCT should encourage the patient to breathe slowly and deeply, and if necessary, pause the test to address the patient's condition. Medical staff should monitor the patient's vital signs to ensure stability. If the hyperventilation persists or the patient's condition worsens, it would be prudent to stop the test and seek further medical evaluation to rule out underlying conditions that may be causing the hyperventilation.