The nurse determines that an elderly patient's IV of D₅0.2 NS with 20 mEq KCl at 75 mL/hr is running 3 hours behind.After determining the IV site is patent,what action will the nurse take?
A) Call the health care provider to obtain an order to decrease the IV rate.
B) Administer a bolus to make up the deficit.
C) Recalculate the flow rate and slowly make up the fluids.
D) Maintain the ordered rate.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The safest action is to maintain the ordered rate.The health care provider should be consulted if the patient has not received critical IV replacement therapy.Increasing an IV rate without a health care provider's order can be detrimental for patients who have cardiac,renal,or circulatory impairment.Normal aging process results in decreased cardiac,renal,and circulatory function.The rate ordered is the one the provider intended for the administration of fluids; changing it to fit the prevailing situation is not appropriate.The bolus technique should only be used for the administration of medications or fluid challenges in patients who need a volume of IV fluid quickly.The flow rate must be consistent with the provider's order.

The Nurse Determines That an Elderly Patient's IV of D₅0