A client with cancer is receiving chemotherapy with a known vesicant. The client's IV has been in place for 72 hours. The nurse determines that a new IV site cannot be obtained, and leaves the present IV in place. Which is the greatest clinical risk related to this situation?
Peripheral neurovascular dysfunction.
Impaired skin integrity.
Fluid volume excess.
Acute pain and anxiety.
The Correct Answer is B
A. Peripheral neurovascular dysfunction. While some chemotherapy agents can cause neuropathy, the immediate risk of a vesicant (a drug that can cause severe tissue damage if it leaks) is extravasation, leading to skin and tissue damage, rather than direct neurovascular impairment.
B. Impaired skin integrity. Vesicants can cause severe tissue necrosis if they extravasate (leak into surrounding tissues). Leaving an IV in place for 72 hours increases the risk of infiltration or extravasation, which can lead to serious complications, including blistering, necrosis, and deep tissue injury. Proper IV site rotation and monitoring are essential to prevent skin and tissue damage.
C. Fluid volume excess. Fluid volume excess is not a direct risk related to vesicant chemotherapy. While some IV fluids can contribute to fluid overload, the primary concern with vesicants is extravasation and tissue damage.
D. Acute pain and anxiety. While pain and anxiety can occur if extravasation happens, the greatest clinical risk is the physical damage caused by tissue necrosis. Pain is a symptom of extravasation, but preventing skin and tissue injury is the priority.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Anaphylactic. Anaphylactic reactions are caused by severe allergic responses, leading to histamine release, vasodilation, and bronchoconstriction. While burns trigger an immune response, it is an inflammatory reaction rather than an allergic one.
B. Noncompensatory. The body's response to burns is compensatory, not noncompensatory. The body immediately reacts by activating the inflammatory and stress responses to maintain perfusion and initiate healing.
C. Inflammatory. A severe burn triggers an immediate and massive inflammatory response, causing capillary leakage, fluid shifts (burn shock), and immune activation. This leads to edema, hypovolemia, and increased risk of infection. The inflammatory response also activates cytokines and white blood cells to begin tissue repair.
D. Cholinergic. The cholinergic response is related to the parasympathetic nervous system, which controls rest-and-digest functions. Severe burns primarily activate the sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight), leading to vasoconstriction, tachycardia, and increased metabolic demands.
Correct Answer is ["B","E","F"]
Explanation
A. Serum blood glucose 185 mg/dL (10.2 mmol/L) (Incorrect): Although lower than the previous reading, it is still elevated, which can impair healing and increase the risk of infection recurrence.
B. Temperature 98.8°F (37.1°C) (Therapeutic Response): A return to a normal temperature indicates resolution of systemic infection. Fever is a sign of active infection, so its absence suggests improvement.
C. White blood cell count 11.2 x 10³/μL (11.2 x 10⁹/L) (Incorrect): This is slightly elevated, which may indicate residual inflammation or infection. A further decrease would be expected for full resolution.
D. Capillary refill greater than 3 seconds bilateral lower extremities (Incorrect): Delayed capillary refill suggests impaired circulation, which is not an indicator of a fully therapeutic response.
E. Bilateral lower extremities skin warm, dry, and pink (Therapeutic Response): Improved skin condition suggests reduced inflammation, better circulation, and healing of the cellulitis-affected area.
F. Pain 2 on a 0 to 10 pain scale, bilateral lower legs described as neuropathic (Therapeutic Response): Pain related to cellulitis typically improves with treatment. If the remaining pain is neuropathic, it suggests resolution of the acute infection.
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