A nurse is caring for a client who has severe hypertension and is to receive nitroprusside via continuous IV infusion.
Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

Choice A rationale:

Applying a pressure dressing at the IV site might be necessary after removing the catheter, but it does not address the inflammation and discomfort caused by phlebitis. Warm, moist compresses are more appropriate for this situation.

Choice B rationale:

Placing a warm, moist compress on the site is the correct action for phlebitis. Heat helps improve blood circulation, reduce inflammation, and provide relief from pain and discomfort. This choice addresses the client's condition effectively.

Choice C rationale:

Expressing drainage from the IV site and sending it for culture is not necessary in this context. Phlebitis is primarily an inflammatory condition, and drainage culture is not a standard practice for phlebitis.

Choice D rationale:

Inserting a new IV catheter distal to the discontinued IV site is not the immediate action to take for phlebitis. First, the nurse should address the inflammation and pain with warm compresses. If a new IV site is needed, it can be considered after managing the client's symptoms.

The correct answer is choice d. Increasingly severe headache.

Choice A rationale:

Tachycardia is not typically associated with increased intracranial pressure (ICP). In fact, bradycardia (a slower heart rate) is more commonly seen as part of Cushing’s triad, which indicates increased ICP.

Choice B rationale:

Hypotension is not a common sign of increased ICP. Instead, hypertension (high blood pressure) is often observed as the body attempts to maintain cerebral perfusion pressure.

Choice C rationale:

Narrowed pulse pressure is not a typical indicator of increased ICP. Widened pulse pressure (the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure) is more commonly associated with increased ICP.

Choice D rationale:

Increasingly severe headache is a classic symptom of increased ICP. As pressure within the skull rises, it can cause significant pain and discomfort, making this a key indicator to monitor in patients with traumatic brain injury.