172 FINAL EXAM
REVIEW
🚨 PRIORITY TOPICS: ABCs & SAFETY
#1. AIRWAY (Most Critical First!)
• Watch for:
o Angioedema: Swelling of lips/tongue/throat—medical emergency! o Laryngeal
Spasm: High-pitched stridor, can't breathe—give O2, call Rapid Response.
#2. BREATHING
• Interventions:
o Elevate HOB (sit patient up) o
Administer O₂
• Priority: SOB, low O2 sat (< 90%), increased RR, use of accessory muscles
#3. CIRCULATION (MI - Myocardial Infarction)
• Watch for MI S/S:
o Chest pain, diaphoresis, SOB, nausea o Prioritize
ABCs → Oxygen, Nitro, Aspirin, EKG
• If it’s causing harm — STOP the infusion!
172 FINAL EXAM REVIEW (ABCs & SAFETY)
, 🚧 SAFETY & INFECTION PREVENTION
• Gloves: If it's wet and not yours, wear gloves.
• IV Looks Infected? → Take it out, notify MD.
• Unresponsive on PCA? → STOP PCA immediately.
Worst Case > Mild:
• “Upset tummy” ≠ priority
• “Vomiting blood,” “worst headache ever,” or “new seizure” = priority
🩹 IV THERAPY & COMPLICATIONS
🔬 Infiltration:
• S/S: Cool, swollen, pale site
• Tx: Stop infusion, Remove IV, elevate limb, warm/cold compress
⚠️Extravasation:
• Vesicant meds (e.g., Vancomycin) leak into tissues
• S/S: Pain, blistering, tissue necrosis
• Tx: Stop, call pharmacy for antidote BEFORE removing catheter
🔥 Phlebitis:
• S/S: Redness, warmth, pain, palpable cord
• Scale: 0–4 → Remove if painful or signs of infection
Grade 0 – No Symptoms
• IV site appears normal
• No pain, redness, or swelling
Grade 1 – Early Signs
• Erythema (redness) at the access site
• With or without pain
172 FINAL EXAM REVIEW (ABCs & SAFETY)
REVIEW
🚨 PRIORITY TOPICS: ABCs & SAFETY
#1. AIRWAY (Most Critical First!)
• Watch for:
o Angioedema: Swelling of lips/tongue/throat—medical emergency! o Laryngeal
Spasm: High-pitched stridor, can't breathe—give O2, call Rapid Response.
#2. BREATHING
• Interventions:
o Elevate HOB (sit patient up) o
Administer O₂
• Priority: SOB, low O2 sat (< 90%), increased RR, use of accessory muscles
#3. CIRCULATION (MI - Myocardial Infarction)
• Watch for MI S/S:
o Chest pain, diaphoresis, SOB, nausea o Prioritize
ABCs → Oxygen, Nitro, Aspirin, EKG
• If it’s causing harm — STOP the infusion!
172 FINAL EXAM REVIEW (ABCs & SAFETY)
, 🚧 SAFETY & INFECTION PREVENTION
• Gloves: If it's wet and not yours, wear gloves.
• IV Looks Infected? → Take it out, notify MD.
• Unresponsive on PCA? → STOP PCA immediately.
Worst Case > Mild:
• “Upset tummy” ≠ priority
• “Vomiting blood,” “worst headache ever,” or “new seizure” = priority
🩹 IV THERAPY & COMPLICATIONS
🔬 Infiltration:
• S/S: Cool, swollen, pale site
• Tx: Stop infusion, Remove IV, elevate limb, warm/cold compress
⚠️Extravasation:
• Vesicant meds (e.g., Vancomycin) leak into tissues
• S/S: Pain, blistering, tissue necrosis
• Tx: Stop, call pharmacy for antidote BEFORE removing catheter
🔥 Phlebitis:
• S/S: Redness, warmth, pain, palpable cord
• Scale: 0–4 → Remove if painful or signs of infection
Grade 0 – No Symptoms
• IV site appears normal
• No pain, redness, or swelling
Grade 1 – Early Signs
• Erythema (redness) at the access site
• With or without pain
172 FINAL EXAM REVIEW (ABCs & SAFETY)
