Editing Reduction of Risk Potential (section)

=== Intravenous Therapy Complications ===

* '''Infiltration''': coolness, pallor, swelling, and sluggish flow. Stop the infusion, remove the catheter, and elevate (Potter et al., 2023).
* '''Extravasation''' of a vesicant such as many chemotherapeutic agents: stop immediately, leave the catheter in place initially to attempt aspiration and antidote instillation per protocol, and notify the provider (Harding et al., 2023).
* '''Phlebitis''': redness, warmth, tenderness, and a palpable cord. Discontinue and restart at another site; apply warm compresses.
* '''Air embolism''': sudden dyspnea, chest pain, and hypotension. Clamp the line, position the client on the '''left side in Trendelenburg''', administer oxygen, and notify the provider.
* '''Fluid overload''': dyspnea, crackles, jugular venous distension, bounding pulse, hypertension, and rapid weight gain. Slow the infusion to a keep-open rate, raise the head of the bed, and notify the provider.
* '''Catheter-related bloodstream infection''': prevented with maximal sterile barriers on insertion, scrubbing the hub, dressing integrity, and prompt removal when no longer needed (Potter et al., 2023).