The nurse removes a client's intravenous catheter and notes the tip of the catheter is broken.The nurse palpates the client's arm and feels the broken piece.Which action should the nurse take?
A)Apply ice to the insertion site.
B)Raise the client's arm above the heart.
C)Apply a pressure dressing on the insertion site.
D)Apply a tourniquet above the insertion site.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Applying a tourniquet above the insertion site is the correct action to prevent the broken piece of the catheter from traveling further into the client's circulation, which could lead to serious complications. This action helps to localize the fragment for easier retrieval and prevents it from causing harm elsewhere in the vascular system.

The Nurse Removes a Client's Intravenous Catheter and Notes the Tip