A nurse is collecting data from a client who reports nausea and has vomited clear emesis. Which of the following medications should the nurse administer?

A. Restart the infusion in the other extremity. While the IV infusion will need to be restarted in a new site, the priority after discontinuing the infusion is to manage the complications of IV infiltration. Restarting the infusion should be done after addressing the swelling and discomfort in the affected limb.

B. Elevate the extremity. Elevating the extremity reduces swelling and promotes fluid reabsorption following an IV infiltration. This helps minimize pain, tissue damage, and further complications, such as compartment syndrome. It is the next priority action after stopping the infusion.

C. Remove the catheter. The catheter should already be removed when the infusion is discontinued due to suspected infiltration. Keeping it in place could worsen tissue swelling and damage. If the catheter has not been removed yet, doing so is essential, but managing swelling and discomfort remains the priority after removal.

D. Apply warm, moist compresses to the site. Warm compresses are typically used for extravasation of non-vesicant solutions to promote circulation and absorption. However, in cases of severe infiltration or swelling, cold compresses may be used initially to reduce inflammation before applying warmth. The priority action is elevation, followed by applying appropriate compresses based on facility protocol.

A. Premedicate the client with diphenhydramine. Premedicating with diphenhydramine is not necessary unless the client has a history of mild allergic reactions to erythromycin. Erythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic and does not have significant cross-reactivity with penicillin, making premedication unnecessary.

B. Request a different route of administration from the provider. Changing the route of administration does not address concerns about allergy. Erythromycin is well tolerated in clients with a penicillin allergy, and there is no indication that a different route would be required unless the client has difficulty swallowing or gastrointestinal intolerance.

C. Administer the medication to the client. Erythromycin belongs to the macrolide class and is commonly prescribed as an alternative for clients allergic to penicillin. There is no cross-reactivity between macrolides and penicillins, making erythromycin a safe and effective option for treating bacterial infections in these clients.

D. Request a different medication from the provider. There is no need to request an alternative medication unless the client has a known allergy to erythromycin. Since macrolides are safe for clients with penicillin allergies, withholding the medication without a valid reason could delay necessary treatment.