What should the nurse do when caring for a child with an intravenous infusion?
A) Use a macrodropper to facilitate reaching the prescribed flow rate.
B) Avoid restraining the child to prevent undue emotional stress.
C) Change the insertion site every 24 hours.
D) Observe the insertion site frequently for signs of infiltration.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nursing responsibility for IV therapy is to calculate the amount to be infused in a given length of time; set the infusion rate; and monitor the apparatus frequently (at least every 1 to 2 hours) to make certain that the desired rate is maintained, the integrity of the system remains intact, the site remains intact (free of redness, edema, infiltration, or irritation), and the infusion does not stop. A minidropper (60 drops/ml) is the recommended IV tubing in pediatrics. The IV site should be protected. This may require soft restraints on the child. Insertion sites do not need to be changed every 24 hours unless a problem is found with the site. This exposes the child to significant trauma.

What Should the Nurse Do When Caring for a Child