IV Question

Published

Hello Everyone,

So I am currently a student about to graduate in May. My husband is overseas as a civilian and called me to let me know he is severely dehydrated and that a few nurses were trying to get fluids into him. Here's the story:

He goes on to explain to me that they stuck him MULTIPLE times and that when they got it in - his blood backed up into the line and all the way into the bag and it filled up so quickly that the bag almost popped. I was mind blown, and I had no idea why this would happen..? Was it faulty equipment, was it something the nurse was doing wrong? Could there be something seriously wrong with my husband?

He said the nurses and doctors were completely stunned and said they'd come back tonight or tomorrow to try and get fluids in him again.....

He couldn't talk long so I wasn't able to get much information but he said he hasn't been able to hold even water down, hasn't eaten in a good couple days, and has "green diarrhea" multiple times a day. I'm extremely worried and have no idea why the this would happen.

Is this a normal occurrence, should I know why this is happening? (blood backing up into the bag so quickly)

Any help or explanation would be fantastic and MUCH appreciated. I've been reading in my books and I haven't really found anything..

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

It sounds like they stuck an artery, not a vein.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion.

They were probably trying at or near the ACF and hit the artery as stated above. Remember that the pressure is much higher in the arterail system and it will back up into standatd IV tubing.Wow...tell those nurses to try a vein in the forearm or hand and they just need a 22 or 20 gauge to get fluids in.Arterial blood will be much brighter and will have a pulsating action.Hope they help your husband soon!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical care.

As already posted, the catheter was probably in an artery. One reason it can do this and still be in a vein is if the fluid bag is below the level of the IV site or even if they failed to remove the tourniquet.

You'll note that we aren't commenting on the medical care of your fella, but understand that we aren't because doing so is against this site's terms of service.

Encouraging you to seek out medical care is not verboten, soooo, please explore any other options for medical care available to him.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It's either the IV bag was on the floor (lower than the body) or it's on the artery.

It also happened to a place I worked on where one of the RN's inserted an IV in the AC and suddenly we noticed that blood was filling up the IV line. The blood wasn't bright red and the insertion site was very superficial, so it should've been the vein.

We ended up removing the IV and inserted another one. The patient's arm was slightly turning red.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in RETIRED Cath Lab/Cardiology/Radiology.

I hope by now he has been re-hydrated either orally or parenterally, and that he is soon feeling better.

It is worrisome to have things happen when our loved ones are so far away.

Per the Terms of Service of this site (as stated above), no one may offer any medical advice.

Closing thread now.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion