A 27-year-old truck driver complains of tingling in fingers and toes after donating blood. What should be done?

The most appropriate response in this situation is to have the donor breathe into a paper bag. The symptoms of tingling in the fingers and toes can indicate hyperventilation, which is common after a blood donation due to anxiety or sudden changes in body physiology. Hyperventilation leads to a decreased level of carbon dioxide in the blood, causing respiratory alkalosis, which can result in feelings of tingling or numbness in the extremities.

Having the donor breathe into a paper bag provides a method to rebreathe exhaled carbon dioxide, helping to normalize the carbon dioxide levels in the blood and alleviate symptoms of hyperventilation. This intervention is particularly effective in addressing the immediate discomfort the donor is experiencing.

Other options may provide some relief but do not directly address the underlying issue of hyperventilation as effectively. Providing food and drink may help improve overall comfort and energy levels after donation but won't specifically target the symptoms of tingling. Lying down and elevating feet can promote blood flow and alleviation of lightheadedness but doesn't effectively address the hyperventilation. Administering oxygen is generally unnecessary in a simple hyperventilation scenario and could complicate the situation since the body's issue is with carbon dioxide levels, not oxygen.