Complications

• No more than two attempts at insertion should be made by one nurse and total attempts should be limited to no more than four.  Do not perform blind attempts

• If the patient reports symptoms of paresthesia while inserting the IV, such as radiating electrical pain, tingling, burning, prickly feeling, or numbness, immediately stop the insertion procedure and carefully remove the catheter. 

• Stop the procedure upon the patient's request or when the patient's actions indicate severe pain. 

• Notify the practitioner of the patient's report of symptoms because early recognition of nerve damage produces a better prognosis.

• Document the details of the patient's report of symptoms in the medical record

• Watch for signs of infiltration. This is an inadvertent administration of a solution or medication into surrounding tissues of the (IV) catheter. You will see bubbling or swelling under the skin. There is often bleeding under the skin (a hematoma). The patient will complain of pain. End the procedure immediately, remove the catheter, and apply pressure to the site.

• Is something not working? Start Simple. 

Check:

• 1. 1. Are all the clamps open?

     2. Are all connections tight?

     3. Catheter kinks?

     4. Patency (line is open and not blocked)?