The nurse notes that a patient's intravenous catheter site is painful,edematous,red,and warm to the touch.There is a palpable cord along the vein and the fluid infusion is sluggish.What should the nurse suspect is occurring with this patient?
A) Infiltration
B) Extravasation
C) Hematoma
D) Phlebitis

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient's symptoms indicate phlebitis, which is inflammation of the vein. There is redness and warmth to the touch, as well as a palpable cord along the vein, which indicates inflammation. Slow infusion rate is due to the constriction of the vein. Pain and edema are common accompanying signs of phlebitis. Infiltration is different from phlebitis and occurs when IV fluids leak into the surrounding tissue, Extravasation occurs when the IV fluid leaks into the surrounding tissue and causes tissue damage, and hematoma occurs when there is a collection of blood under the skin at the site of the venipuncture.

The Nurse Notes That a Patient's Intravenous Catheter Site Is