Ambulance Victoria CPGS Practice Test

Encouraging paced breathing is an effective technique for a patient who is hyperventilating due to anxiety. This approach helps to regulate the breathing pattern, which can become rapid and shallow during anxiety episodes, leading to hyperventilation. By guiding the patient to slow their breathing, they can restore a more normal respiratory rate, reduce feelings of dizziness or lightheadedness, and help alleviate the panic associated with hyperventilation.

Paced breathing typically involves taking slow, deep breaths, often counting to a certain number for inhalation and exhalation. This method not only provides a physical means to control breathing but also acts as a mental focus, diverting attention away from anxiety-provoking thoughts.

The other options, while potentially beneficial in other contexts, do not directly address the immediate need to reduce hyperventilation. Skipping meals could lead to low blood sugar, which might worsen anxiety symptoms. Increasing physical activity may not be advisable during an acute episode of hyperventilation as it could exacerbate the situation. Introducing meditation techniques, while useful in the long term for managing anxiety, may not be practical to implement in the moment of acute hyperventilation where immediate action is necessary.