Question

Which of the following situations indicates discontinuation of peripheral IV access?

(Select all that apply.)

A. The patient is being discharged to home on PO medications.
B. The health care provider has ordered normal saline at 100 mL per hour and the patient's bag of IV fluids is empty.
C. The patient is drinking fluids well postoperatively and has an order for morphine IV every 3 hours as needed.
D. The electronic infusion pump alarm keeps sounding, indicating 'occlusion' on its screen and the nurse is unable to flush the IV.
E. The patient's arm is swollen and cool to the touch; the patient complains of pain at the IV site.
F. The patient's arm appears reddened and is tender to the touch.
G. The IV access site is dated 4 days ago.

Answer 1

The situations that indicate discontinuation of peripheral IV access include the patient being discharged to home on PO medications, the IV fluids bag being empty, the electronic infusion pump alarm indicating 'occlusion,' the patient's arm being swollen, cool to the touch, and painful at the IV site, and the patient's arm appearing reddened and tender to the touch.

Step-by-step explanation:

Discontinuation of peripheral IV access is indicated in the following situations:

• A: The patient being discharged to home on PO medications does not require IV access anymore.
• B: If the patient's IV fluids bag is empty, it indicates the need to discontinue the IV access.
• D: If the electronic infusion pump alarm keeps sounding, indicating 'occlusion,' it suggests a problem with the IV access and it should be discontinued.
• E: If the patient's arm is swollen, cool to the touch, and painful at the IV site, it may indicate an infection or infiltration, which requires discontinuation of the IV access.
• F: If the patient's arm appears reddened and is tender to the touch, it may also indicate an infection or phlebitis, which requires discontinuation of the IV access.

Therefore, options A, B, D, E, and F indicate discontinuation of peripheral IV access.