A 67-year-old man is admitted to the hospital with right lower lobe pneumonia and later develops hypotension and lactic acidosis. He is starting an intravenous drip of norepinephrine. After a few hours, the antecubital vein used for the infusion blanches, and the tissues around the IV site become cold, hard, and pale. Which of the following agents is most likely to be beneficial when injected locally into the affected tissues?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Blanching of a vein into which norepinephrine is infused, as well as induration and pallor of the tissues surrounding the IV site, are signs of norepinephrine extravasation and subsequent vasoconstriction. Local injection of a receptor blocking drug, such as phentolamine, is the most effective way to prevent tissue necrosis.

A 67-Year-Old Man Is Admitted to the Hospital with Right