Treatment for Infiltrated IV's

[Spritenurse1210, BSN, RN]

What do you do for a patient who's iv has infiltrated?

[lpnstudentin2010, LPN]

When mine gets infiltrated they usually pull it out and then put a warm pack on it. They then try to get one in another extremity

[rn undisclosed name]

Really it depends on what infiltrated. Generally it's a warm pack but there are some instances when it is a cool pack.

[GrumpyRN63, ADN, RN]

I like to give one ice/cold pack immediately, especially if plebitic(for pain/edema), and then change over to warm packs

[Drysolong]

Is there any danger of infection?

[GrumpyRN63, ADN, RN]

You can get a nice temp spike of 101 or higher from a phlebitic IV, usually self-limiting w/ heat, tylenol, but really depending on the site, the solution/osmolality, drugs received, vesicants, atbx's, kcl, irritating meds, chemo, etc really nasty things can happen, loss of tissue, joints, nerve damage, you name it, watch your IV's

[class 5]

I generally immediately remove the iv, elevate the limb and apply warm compress.

[NsgChica]

If extravasation occurs you may want an antidote for whatever infiltrated.