Today in health care, with the increase in the number of patients with higher acuity levels, IV therapy and intravenous (IV) therapy-related complications are also on the rise. Nurses and patients trained to self-administer IV medications or solutions must be educated to identify potential IV complications, such as infiltration and phlebitis. This article discusses in detail the predisposing factors, symptomatology, and specific nursing interventions for these two com mon IV-related complications. Key words: algorithm, blood return, infiltration, inflammation
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
J Intravenous Nurs. Standards of Practice, supplement. September 1990.
2.
Yuch A., et al. Differences among IV extravasations using four common solutions . J Intravenous Nurs.1993;16:277-281.
3.
Maki DG, Ringer M.Risk factors for infusion-related phlebitis with small peripheral venous catheters . Ann Intern Med.1991;114:845-854.
4.
McKee J., et al. Complications of intravenous therapy: a randomized prospective study— Vialon vs Teflon. J Intravenous Nurs. 1989; 12(5):288-295.
5.
Plumer ALPrinciples and Practice of Intravenous Therapy. 5th ed. Boston, Mass: Little, Brown ; 1993.
6.
Centers for Disease Control.Guidelines for prevention of intravascular infection. J Nat Intravenous Ther Assoc. 1982;5(1):39-50.