A nurse is caring for a client receiving IV fluids and observes the client experiencing chills, fever, and elevated heart rate. The nurse should suspect which complication of IV therapy?
Infiltration
Phlebitis
Fluid overload
Sepsis
The Correct Answer is D
A) This choice is incorrect because infiltration is not typically associated with chills, fever, and an elevated heart rate.
B) This choice is incorrect because phlebitis may cause local symptoms at the IV site but is not generally associated with systemic symptoms like fever and chills.
C) This choice is incorrect because fluid overload does not cause fever and chills but rather manifests as symptoms like dyspnea, edema, and increased blood pressure.
D) This choice is correct. The client's symptoms of chills, fever, and elevated heart rate are indicative of sepsis, a serious infection that can occur as a complication of IV therapy. Sepsis can develop if bacteria enter the bloodstream through the IV catheter and lead to a systemic inflammatory response.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A) This choice is incorrect because phlebitis typically presents with redness, warmth, and swelling around the insertion site, not coolness.
B) This choice is correct. The client's symptoms of swelling and coolness around the insertion site are indicative of infiltration, which occurs when IV fluid leaks into the surrounding tissues.
C) This choice is incorrect because fluid overload is not associated with localized symptoms like swelling and coolness at the IV site.
D) This choice is incorrect because an air embolism is not associated with symptoms of swelling and coolness at the IV site.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) This choice is incorrect because infiltration involves the inadvertent administration of IV fluid into the surrounding tissues and is not associated with chest pain, dyspnea, and tachycardia.
B) This choice is incorrect because phlebitis typically presents with localized symptoms around the insertion site and is not associated with chest pain, dyspnea, and tachycardia.
C) This choice is incorrect because fluid overload does not typically cause chest pain, dyspnea, and tachycardia but rather manifests as symptoms such as elevated blood pressure, jugular vein distention, and edema.
D) This choice is correct. The client's symptoms of chest pain, dyspnea, and tachycardia are potential signs of thrombophlebitis, which is the inflammation of a vein associated with the formation of a blood clot. The clot can become dislodged and travel to the lungs, leading to a pulmonary embolism, which presents with chest pain and dyspnea.
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