As soon as the nurse begins to insert an intravenous catheter in the patient's antecubital space, blood begins to spurt from the site. What should the nurse do first?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

As soon as blood begins to spurt from the site, the catheter must be removed and pressure applied to the site immediately to minimize bleeding and prevent hematoma formation. If the catheter is completed first, it may cause further damage to the vein or tissue, increasing the risk of infection and delaying treatment. Option A is incorrect because finishing threading the catheter before addressing the bleeding is not the priority. Option B is incorrect because inserting another catheter in the same site is contraindicated due to the bleeding and possible tissue damage. Option D is incorrect because there is no need to call for help in this situation.

As Soon as the Nurse Begins to Insert an Intravenous