Complications of Intravenous therapy

Complications of Intravenous therapy ( 39 Questions)

Question 17 :
Sign Up To Save Scores
A nurse is caring for a client with an IV catheter in place for fluid administration. The nurse observes the client's arm is edematous, and the skin feels cool to the touch. The infusion is sluggish, and the client reports discomfort at the site. Which complication of IV therapy should the nurse suspect?

Correct Answer: B

A) This choice is incorrect because phlebitis is characterized by redness, warmth, and swelling around the insertion site, not edema and coolness.

B) This choice is correct. The client's symptoms of edema, coolness, sluggish infusion, and discomfort at the site are indicative of infiltration, which occurs when IV fluid leaks into the surrounding tissues.

C) This choice is incorrect because fluid overload is not associated with localized symptoms like those described by the client.

D) This choice is incorrect because an air embolism is not associated with symptoms of infiltration, such as edema and coolness around the IV site.




Join Nursingprepexams Nursing for nursing questions & guides! Sign Up Now