The nurse preparing to insert an IV on an older adult client notices that the client's skin is extremely fragile.Which action by the nurse is best?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The skin of older adults is often fragile,and a tourniquet may leave an ecchymotic area after the IV insertion.One option for fragile skin is to inflate a blood pressure cuff to a reading just slightly less than the client's diastolic pressure.Tapping the skin lightly may help distend a vein,but avoid slapping vigorously.Gauze padding would not prevent bruising.Veins that are already distended may be cannulated without using a tourniquet,but they must be assessed first,and hard or cordlike veins need to be avoided.

The Nurse Preparing to Insert an IV on an Older