While examining a patient's peripheral intravenous (IV) site, the nurse observes a red streak along the length of the vein. On palpation, the vein feels hard and cordlike. What is the nurse's best action?
a. Check for a blood return and notify the prescriber.
b. Discontinue the infusion and remove the IV needle.
c. Apply ice packs to the vein and continue the infusion.
d. Change the IV fluid to normal saline and redress the site.
B
Phlebitis is an inflammation of the vein. Its presence in a vein being used for IV therapy may be caused by mechanical forces associated with the IV device or by chemical factors related to the composition and osmolarity of the drug solution. The key manifestation is that the symptoms are directly associated with the vein. The vein with phlebitis should not receive any additional fluids and the IV therapy is discontinued. If IV therapy needs to continue, it is restarted in a different vein.
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