IV Complications

Question 1

Phlebitis

Answer 1

Redness @ site
Site warm to touch
local swelling
palpable cord along vein

Treatment:
D/c catheter
apply warm compresses

Prevention: 
Smallest IV when possible 
Hand hygiene 
rotate infusion sites 
avoid placement of areas of flexion

Question 2

Infiltration

Answer 2

Coolness of skin around site
Taut/Blanched skin 
edema above of below insertion site
Back flow of blood present 
Slowed infusion rate 

Treatment: 
Stop infusion, remove catheter 
Apply cool/warm compresses 
Elevate extremity 
follow guidelines 
use antidote when available

Question 3

When do you report to provider on IV complications

Answer 3

above grade 2

Question 4

hematoma

Answer 4

S&S: swelling and discomfort at site
inability to advance catheter
resistance during flushing

Treatment: elevate extremity
cold compresses may be applied
apple pressure to site after removal

Prevention
apply tourniquet right before venipuncture
use indirect method of venipuncture
use blood pressure cuff for elderly

Question 5

Nerve injury

Answer 5

S&S
immediate sharp pain during poke
shooting pain up the arm
pain or tingling in hand or fingertips

treatment
notify LIP 
apply pressure 
stop poking 
avoid cephalic vein 
avoid lateral surface of the skin

Question 6

speed shock

Answer 6

S&S 
dizziness
facial flushing 
headache 
tightness in chest 
hypotension 
irregular pulse 

Treatment
stop infusion immediately
call rapid response

Question 7

what is extravasation

Answer 7

escape of a vesicant medication/solution from the vein into the surround tissue

Question 8

what is infiltration

Answer 8

escape of a nonnvesicant medication/solution from the vein into the surrounding tissue

Question 9

venous spasm

Answer 9

sudden constriction of the vein

Question 10

phlebitis scale

Answer 10

0- no symptoms
+1- redness at site, with or without pain
+2- redness, edema, and pain
+3- pain, redness, palpable cord along arm, edema
+4- pain, redness, palpable cord along arm that is strong, could have drainage

Question 11

thrombophelbitis what do you do for treatment

Answer 11

apply warm moist compresses, applying cold compresses could decrease skin toxicity by 45 minutes

Question 12

infiltration scale

Answer 12

0—no symptoms
+1—skin blanched, edema 6 in., cool to touch, mild-to-moderate pain, possible numbness
+4—skin blanched and translucent, skin tight, leaking, gross edema >6 in. deep, pitting tissue edema,
circulatory impairment, moderate-to-severe pain

Question 13

pnemothorax

Answer 13

collection of air in the pleural space caused by trauma to the lung
it shifts the lung, the trachea will be in opposite side of where lung collapsed

Question 14

hemothorax

Answer 14

collection of blood in pleural cavity (lung)

Question 15

Chylothorax

Answer 15

transection of the thoracic duct causes lymph fluid to enter the pleural cavity