Question

A patient is receiving an IV push medication. If the drug infiltrates into the outer tissues, the nurse:

1. Continues to let the IV run
2. Applies a warm compress to the infiltrated site
3. Stops the administration of the medicine and follows agency policy
4. Should not worry about this because vesicant filtration is not a problem.

Answer 1

If an IV push medication infiltrates into the outer tissues, the nurse should stop the medication and follow agency policy; continuing the IV can worsen infiltration and vesicant filtration can cause tissue damage.

Step-by-step explanation:

When content loaded A patient is receiving an IV push medication and the drug infiltrates into the outer tissues, this is known as extravasation or infiltration and it can lead to tissue damage. The proper response for the nurse, in this case, is to stop the administration of the medicine immediately and follow agency policy, which may include steps such as elevating the affected limb, applying a cold or warm compress (depending on the type of medication that has infiltrated), and monitoring for any complications that might arise from the infiltration. It is crucial for the nurse to act quickly to prevent further harm to the patient.

Continuing to let the IV run is incorrect as it can worsen the infiltration. Vesicant filtration can indeed be a problem because some medications can cause severe tissue damage (necrosis) if they leak into the tissue surrounding the vein.