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I'm not sure what the mechanism is, but the nurse is only partially right. An increase in pCO2 causes vasoconstriction in the pulmonary vasculature and vasodilation EVERYWHERE else. CO2 causes constriction in the pulmonary vasculature because an increase in pC02 sends the message there is damage/shunting here, sending blood here will not effectively oxygenate it so blood is preferentially sent to a different part of the lung where it will receive better oxygenation.
Vasoconstriction. 1  There are muscles around all the major arteries of our body that automatically constrict or relax in order to decrease or increase blood flow. This allows the body to send more blood and warmth to the critical organs of your body (like the heart, lungs and brain), temporarily decreasing the blood flow to your hands and feet. Cold hand diseases that occur from vasoconstriction happen when these muscles apply pressure to the arteries for too long, which decreases blood flow.