why is phentolamine instilled prior to removal...

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when IV adrenergic drugs are used during shock or vasopressor drug therapy, and infiltration occurs, why is phentolamine then instilled prior to removal of the IV catheter?

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Specializes in Cardiac.

So you can get some of the med right at the tip of where the infiltration began.

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actually I kept searching and discovered that if phentolamine is injected through the catheter or subcutaneously around the area of extravasation, this may prevent tissue necrosis, because necrosis may occur if extravasation occurs with solutions containing norepinephrine, phenylephrine, metaraminol, or dopamine

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Specializes in Cardiac.

Well, yes. I though you meant, why is the Regitine injected into the catheter in addition to being given sub-Q. I actually gave this last week- Levophed infiltrated.

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I had my first and hopefully last dopamine infiltration last night...I need to learn to trust my own judgement, I THOUGHT the line looked iffy and two other RNs thought it was OK. We ended up pulling and I went back to check a little while later and the site was all blanched so I did the Regitine protocol. Everything I've heard says to aspirate the catheter and then instill directly into the catheter before removing and then doing the subq injections, BUT our hospital protocol is to aspirate and then remove the catheter immediately. I had been pulled to this unit and I am just praying this guys arm will be ok. It immediately pinked up. UGH. :smackingf

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