The nursing instructor is discussing IV fluid overload with the nursing students. What will the nurse include in her discussion? Select all that apply

Question

A) The use of packed cells instead of whole blood will decrease the fluid volume delivered to the client.
B) A symptom of fluid overload is distended neck veins.
C) The client will likely develop a fever in the presence of fluid overload.
D) Fluid overload is more likely in very young children.
E) The infusion rate must be carefully monitored during the administration of blood.

Answer 1

Ans: A, B, D, E
Feedback:
Fluid overload can occur if blood components are infused too quickly or too voluminously. Transfusion-associated circulatory overload is more likely in the very young client or the older adult with poor cardiac or renal function. Symptoms include increased venous pressure, distended neck veins, dyspnea, coughing, and abnormal breath sounds. Circulatory overload can be minimized by infusing packed RBCs (rather than whole blood) and volume-reduced platelets for high-risk clients, then carefully monitoring the infusion rate of blood components.