Final answer:
A nurse should discontinue the IV infusion if the insertion site appears red, warm, and swollen to prevent further irritation or infection. Monitoring for these signs is important for ensuring proper healing and preventing complications such as bloodstream infections.
Step-by-step explanation:
If an intravenous (IV) insertion site appeared red, warm, and swollen these could be indications of phlebitis or infiltration, and hence the most appropriate action for a nurse to take would be to discontinue the infusion. This preemptive measure aims to prevent further irritation or potential infection at the site. Assessing for blood return could be a part of diagnosing the issue, but stopping the infusion takes priority. Changing the existing dressing or securing the tubing with more tape are secondary actions that do not address the underlying problem.
It is crucial to monitor for increased redness, swelling, and pain after a cut or abrasion has been cleaned and bandaged because these symptoms may indicate an infection or an inflammatory response. The goal is to ensure a proper healing process and to prevent complications such as bloodstream infections, which are associated with significant morbidity and mortality.
After the initial clot formation in response to a skin injury, histamine release takes place, which increases blood flow to the site and brings in immune cells to counteract any infection, leading to the ensuing inflammation.