A nurse is caring for client who is receiving a continuous IV infusion . The nurse notes the skin around the catheter's insertion site is edematous and cool. Which of the following actions is should the nurse take First?
Document the infiltration
Elevate the arm
Apply a warm compress.
Stop the infusion.
The Correct Answer is D
A) Document the infiltration: While documentation is an important part of the nursing process, it is not the first action to take. If an infiltration is suspected, the priority is to stop the infusion immediately to prevent further harm or fluid leakage into the surrounding tissues. Once the infusion is stopped, the nurse can then document the infiltration for medical record purposes.
B) Elevate the arm: Elevating the arm can help reduce swelling, but this should not be the first step. The first priority when infiltration is suspected is to stop the infusion, as continuing it can worsen the tissue damage and swelling. After stopping the infusion, elevating the arm may be considered as part of the subsequent management of the infiltration.
C) Apply a warm compress: A warm compress may be helpful after stopping the infusion, particularly if the infiltration involves non-vesicant fluids. However, applying a warm compress is not the immediate action. The first step should be stopping the infusion to prevent any further fluid from infiltrating the tissues.
D) Stop the infusion: The most immediate and appropriate action when infiltration is noted around the IV insertion site is to stop the infusion. This prevents additional fluid from leaking into the surrounding tissues, which could cause further damage. Once the infusion is stopped, the nurse can take other steps to manage the infiltration, such as assessing the site, applying a warm compress, or notifying the healthcare provider.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["0.25"]
Explanation
Identify the desired dose:
The doctor has ordered 0.5 mg of haloperidol.
Identify the available medication concentration:
The available haloperidol oral concentrate is 2 mg/mL.
Set up the calculation:
We need to find out how many mL are needed to administer 0.5 mg of the medication. We can use the following formula:
(Desired dose) / (Concentration) = Volume to administer
Plug in the values and calculate:
(0.5 mg) / (2 mg/mL) = 0.25 mL
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) Slurred speech:
Slurred speech is not a common adverse effect of gentamicin. It could indicate neurological issues, but it is not typically associated with gentamicin use. If this occurs, the nurse should investigate other possible causes, such as a stroke or another neurological condition, rather than attributing it to the gentamicin.
B) Constipation:
Constipation is not a typical adverse effect of gentamicin. While antibiotics can sometimes cause gastrointestinal disturbances, gentamicin is more commonly associated with nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity, rather than constipation. If constipation occurs, it is more likely related to other factors such as diet or fluid intake.
C) Hypotension:
While hypotension can be a side effect of many medications, it is not a specific or common adverse effect of gentamicin. Gentamicin is more likely to cause nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity rather than significant blood pressure changes. However, hypotension could occur in the context of an infection or severe illness and should be monitored, but it is not directly associated with gentamicin.
D) New onset of hearing loss:
This is a well-known adverse effect of gentamicin. Gentamicin belongs to the class of antibiotics known as aminoglycosides, which can cause ototoxicity. New onset of hearing loss or tinnitus (ringing in the ears) is a significant warning sign of ototoxicity, which can occur due to gentamicin use. This side effect should be monitored closely, and if hearing loss occurs, the medication should be reevaluated, and alternatives should be considered.
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