Hospital Nurses

¶ … patient is receiving fluids/medications via IV therapy (this is not related to the IV insertion site) List at least three and discuss in moderate detail to show understanding. Phlebitis is an infection or blood clot that oftentimes occurs at the insertion site, but also spreads throughout the veins. It can present with soreness, redness, swelling (to a degree), irritation and can travel through the veins in a discernable manner. Another possible complication is hypersensitivity. Hypersensitivity presents itself with rashes, hives, wheezing, and/or a sudden fever.

The Nursing Center states that the administering medical professional should "stay with your patient for five or ten minutes to detect early signs and symptoms of hypertension" (Nursing Center, 2014). A third complication that can take place is called infiltration. Infiltration happens when fluid from the IV leaks into the surrounding tissues. Sometimes it is due to the displacement of the IV, but in older patients it can occur due to the fragile nature of their veins.

Some of the signs to look for include; the patient has cool tight skin, burning and swelling are often present, blanching and patient discomfort are also signs of infiltration. 2. A medical officer has ordered a patient 40 mmol of Potassium ChloIride in 1000 mls Normal Saline (premix bags) to run at 80 mls/hr a.

Please state 4 main special precautions you need to be aware of when administering Potassium Chloride via the Intravenous route to ensure patient safety (Please use the Australian Injectable Handbook in the Tafe library for accurate information) When administering Potassium Chloride via the intravenous route, the medical professional must be aware of any possible complications that can take place if precautions are not taken.

It must be administered in the correct manner or, as the Australian Council for Safety and Quality in Health Care relates "the risks associated with intravenous potassium chloride are well-known. If it is injected too rapidly or in too high a dose, it may cause cardiac arrest within minutes" (Reeve, Allinson, 2005). Therefore, two precautions the medical professional should take right from the start are to ensure that the correct dosage is being administered and that it is being administered at the right levels.

A third precaution would be to check the drug being administered against the drug chart to ensure that it is the right drug. A fourth precaution would be to determine whether the drug has expired or not. b. Please state 6 signs and symptoms of potassium intoxication Potassium intoxication can present itself with gas, diarrhea, nausea and upset stomachs. It can also induce vomit, black and/or tarry stools, and the patient could have difficulty in breathing. As one early study determined "acute potassium intoxication is a life-threatening event.