Common complications of intravenous infusion

I believe that many people have experienced the use of infusion to treat human diseases. Infusion therapy mainly delivers drugs into human veins, because veins are important blood vessels that transport blood and nutrients to the human body. However, during the process of intravenous infusion, patients should also pay close attention to changes in their bodies, because intravenous infusion also has complications. In summary, the main complications caused by intravenous infusion are as follows.

1. Fever reaction

Clinical manifestations: During the infusion, patients may experience fever, chills, and chills. The body temperature of patients with mild fever reactions will be around 38°, while patients with severe fever reactions will experience chills in the early stages, but as the disease worsens, high fever will occur, with the body temperature reaching 40°-41°, accompanied by systemic symptoms such as headache, nausea, vomiting, and rapid pulse.

Emergency treatment:

1. When the fever reaction is mild, immediately slow down the infusion rate, report to the attending physician, and observe closely; when the fever reaction is severe, immediately stop the infusion, report to the attending physician, and replace the fluid and infusion set.

2. Closely observe changes in the patient's vital signs.

3. Take medication as directed by the doctor, perform physical cooling, change clothes, take warm baths, etc., and keep warm.

4. Keep good nursing records, record the patient's vital signs, clinical manifestations and treatment process.

5. Report to the Pharmacy Department’s Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring Center in a timely manner.

6. Keep the infusion set and remaining medicine in the refrigerator for inspection.

2. Acute pulmonary edema

Clinical manifestations: cough, chest tightness and dyspnea, pink foamy sputum, etc. If the patient's condition is serious, sputum will flow out of the nasal cavity or mouth. When auscultating the patient's lung area, one may hear irregular heartbeat, rapid rhythm, and moist rales.

Emergency treatment:

1. Stop the infusion immediately, instruct the patient to sit upright with both lower limbs hanging down, and report to the doctor on duty.

2. Give high-concentration oxygen (6-8 L/min) and add 20%-30% ethanol to the humidification bottle or use a non-invasive ventilator as directed by a doctor.

3. Use cardiotonic, diuretic, vasodilator, sedative and other drugs as prescribed by your doctor.

4. If necessary, perform rotational bandage on the limbs, and loosen the tourniquet on one limb every 5-10 minutes.

5. Comfort the patient's emotions.

6. Record the rescue process.

7. Strengthen inspections, observe closely, and focus on shift handovers.

3. Air Embolism

Clinical manifestations: Patients may experience substernal pain or chest discomfort, dyspnea and severe cyanosis. When auscultating the patient's precordial area, a bubbling sound may also be heard.

Emergency treatment:

1. Immediately turn off the infusion device, place the patient in left lateral position with the head down and feet up, and report to the doctor on duty.

2. Closely observe the patient's condition and give oxygen inhalation and drug treatment as prescribed by the doctor.

3. Provide psychological care.

4. Record changes in the patient’s condition and the rescue process.

5. Focus on shift handover.

IV. Phlebitis

Clinical manifestations: Cord-like red lines appear along the veins, local tissues become red and swollen, hot and painful, accompanied by systemic symptoms such as fever and chills.

Emergency treatment:

1. Stop the infusion immediately.

2. Partially lift the brake.

3. Apply 50% magnesium sulfate hot compress to the local area, twice a day, 30 minutes each time; or ultrashort wave therapy, once a day, 15-20 minutes each time; or apply Ruyi Huangjin Powder to the local area, etc.

4. For patients with systemic infection, antibiotic treatment should be given as prescribed by the doctor.