Question

A nurse enters a client's room to check on his intravenous infusion. An electronic infusion device is not being used. When checking the solution container and rate, the nurse notes that that fluid is infusing at a rate slower than intended. When assessing the client, which finding would the nurse identify as most likely contributing to the slowed rate of infusion?

a) The fluid, although running slow, is infusing.
b) The client is resting his arm with the IV on his head.
c) The client is using his non-IV hand to push the IV pole when ambulating.
d) The tubing is visible, running freely from the solution to the access site.

Answer 1

The reduced IV infusion flow rate is most likely because the client is resting his arm with the IV on his head, which might cause a kink in the catheter or compress the IV line.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most likely finding that would contribute to the slowed rate of infusion is b) The client is resting his arm with the IV on his head. This can cause a bend or kink in the catheter or compress the IV line, reducing the flow rate of the infusion. While the other options might seem plausible, they do not directly affect the flow rate as significantly as the position of the client's arm.

Proper positioning is important to maintain the infusion flow rate, and if the client's arm position is altering the flow, repositioning the arm and ensuring the IV line is not occluded or bent is essential.