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Difficulty: EasyStress Management

A nurse is teaching a client experiencing acute stress how to perform diaphragmatic breathing. Arrange the steps of this stress management technique in the correct chronological order.

  1. 1Assume a comfortable sitting or lying position.
  2. 2Place one hand flat on the abdomen just below the ribs.
  3. 3Inhale slowly and deeply through the nose, allowing the abdomen to expand.
  4. 4Exhale slowly and completely through pursed lips, allowing the abdomen to deflate.

Answer

The correct sequence begins with positioning, followed by hand placement for biofeedback, then the inhalation phase, and finally the exhalation phase.
The correct sequence follows the logical progression of preparing the body, setting up physical biofeedback, and executing the complete respiratory cycle. Positioning establishes physical comfort, hand placement ensures the correct technique is being used, nasal inhalation fills the lower lung fields, and pursed-lip exhalation maximizes the vagal relaxation response.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the foundational requirement for relaxation exercises.
The client must first be in a comfortable position.
Physical comfort reduces baseline muscle tension, allowing the technique to be effective.
2
Determine the preparation needed for diaphragmatic breathing.
The client places a hand on the abdomen.
This provides sensory feedback to confirm the diaphragm, rather than the chest, is doing the work.
3
Sequence the active breathing phases.
Inhalation precedes exhalation.
The lungs must fill with air through nasal inhalation before a controlled, prolonged exhalation through pursed lips can occur.

Key Concept

Diaphragmatic breathing is a fundamental stress management technique that activates the parasympathetic nervous system.
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Topics

Stress Management

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