Question

A nurse teaches a patient with dehydration about maintaining safe intravenous therapy at home. Which statement made by the patient indicates a need for further learning?

Answer 1

A patient who is undergoing intravenous therapy should not perform isometric exercises because it may lead to bleeding and injury at the injection site. During a shower, the patient should protect the injection site and dressing from getting wet by covering it with plastic. Applying pressure with sterile gauze at the injection site if the catheter falls out helps to reduce bleeding. Inflammation and itching at the injection site may be an indication of infection and phlebitis; the patient should report these manifestations immediately.