The nurse is caring for a patient with a peripheral IV who tells the nurse that the IV site is painful and puffy. What is the nurse's best action?
a. Discontinue the IV and start another line in the other arm.
b. Aspirate to check for blood return and flush the IV with sterile saline.
c. Clean the IV site with chlorhexidine and apply a new sterile dressing.
d. Change the IV tubing and administer prescribed pain medication.
ANS: A
An IV site that is puffy and painful should be discontinued promptly because the fluid has infiltrated outside the vein and is causing localized irritation. The IV should be restarted in the other arm if possible.
You might also like to view...
A breastfeeding client confides in the nurse that since resuming sexual relations, she has had discomfort during intercourse. The nurse's advice should be based on the knowledge that the discomfort is most likely caused by
a. increased maternal fatigue b. decreased vaginal lubrication c. trauma to the vaginal mucosa d. narrowing of the vaginal introitus
The two major fluid compartments in the body are called the:
a. intracellular and extracellular. b. intracellular and interstitial. c. interstitial and extracellular. d. interstitial and intravascular.
An employee of the National Institute for Mental Health would most likely be involved in the:
a. Expansion of psychiatric units in general hospitals b. Development of education programs for community mental health treatment c. Legislation and advocacy for the rights of people with mental disorders d. Deinstitutionalization of patients
Dysmenorrhea refers to pain that some times accompanies the menstrual flow
a. True b. False