please help :(

Nurses Medications

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we have a 31 weeks and 6days preterm baby hooked on right hand with 9.4cc piperacillin tazobactam via automated syringe pump to run for an hour, after an hour she suffered from i dont know if its infiltration or extravasation, the hand of the baby swelled, attending physician was aware and ordered for continous warm compress, it is now on its second day since the incident happened, the swelling was gone but left a small hematoma or blister like on her hand, i already made an incident report about it even I wasn't asked by the doctor to make one. My question is 'is it possible that the small blister will scab and slough off soon?" What consequences should i face soon? my colleagues and the attending physician told me not to panic now since the skin condition is still observed. but i cant stop thinking what if the small blister progress? i am very worried and depressed thinking it might be the end of my nursing career :(

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

IVs infiltrate even with frequent monitoring. You saw it had happened, you reported it, you are treating it per orders.

This isn't something you did on purpose I assume. There is no reason to assume your nursing career is over. Go take a look at your BON website, see what kind of things actually end careers. Take a deep breath, go take a relaxing bath with a book and a glass of wine. Then learn from this and move on.

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thank you uRNmyway. im praying that the blister wouldnt progress and wouldnt produce pus... i've did some research in the internet and there are links that says that slough off skin might need to undergo skin grafting surgery :( thinking too advance :(

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

IV infiltrations are serious especially on children/babies but it happens all the time......this drug is a vesicant but it happens.....relax. You have done the right things. IF you have I would call them for advice/reassurance.

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If you don't have , let this serve as your wake-up call. You should go get it immediately. It won't help for this issue but it will give you peace of mind for the rest of your career. It's not expensive and it is essential for any professional.

(And as the other posters have said, you did the right thing here and even if the child needs grafting later, you will not get dinged for it, and you will certainly not lose your license over it :) )

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i think God heard my prayers. the preterm baby is fine now. her hand isnt swollen already. its her 3rd day today and her hand continously showing improvements. i might take your advices with regards to the insurance. Godbless everyone and have a good day

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

please take the advice related to malpractice ins please!

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