Question

A patient has been receiving IV antibiotics and as a result has had several IV site locations. What action can the nurse take to promote venous distention in the patient? (Select all that apply.)

A. Apply a warm pack to the arm for several minutes.
B. Elevate the arm 10 to 30 degrees.
C. Teach the patient relaxation techniques.
D. Use the side of paralysis to avoid a vasoconstriction response to catheter insertion.
E. Choose a site distal to the previous IV site.
F. Rub or stroke the patient's arm.
G. Tap the patient's veins multiple times.

Answer 1

To promote venous distention, a nurse can apply a warm pack, elevate the patient's arm, teach relaxation techniques, choose a site distal to the previous IV site, and gently rub or tap the veins.

Step-by-step explanation:

To promote venous distention in a patient who has been receiving IV antibiotics and has had several IV site locations, a nurse can take several actions:

• Apply a warm pack to the arm for several minutes to encourage vasodilation and make the veins more prominent.
• Elevate the arm 10 to 30 degrees above the heart to help with venous return and vein distention.
• Teach the patient relaxation techniques which may help reduce the stress-induced sympathetic nervous system responses that can cause vasoconstriction.
• Using the side of paralysis for catheter insertion is generally not recommended due to risks of further complications and absence of vasoconstriction response could indicate more serious underlying issues.
• Choose a site distal to the previous IV site to avoid phlebitis and allow veins further up the arm to recover.
• Rubbing or stroking the patient's arm can temporarily assist in venous distention by stimulating the vessels.
• Gently tapping the patient's veins multiple times can also help in making the veins more visible and palpable for IV insertion, although this should be done with care to avoid causing trauma to the skin or vessel.