A client who is 24 hours postoperative bowel resection is receiving IV opioids PRN for severe pain. The nurse reviews the health care provider's prescription to discontinue the continuous IV normal saline. What is the nurse's most appropriate action? A)Convert to a saline lock B)Remove the IV catheter C)Request a prescription for a saline lock D)Slow the IV fluids to a keep-vein-open rate

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nurse should discontinue the IV infusion of normal saline and apply a saline lock to maintain IV access while preventing clotting. The prescription of the health care provider (HCP) to lock the IV catheter is implied, as the client is currently receiving PRN IV opioids (Option A). A saline lock is sufficient to maintain the line patency and allows greater mobility than a continuous infusion. (Option B) The client is only 24 hours postoperative abdominal surgery, so IV access is necessary to administer medications (eg, antibiotics, analgesics, antiemetics). (Options C and D) The HCP's prescription specifies discontinuing IV fluids but not removing the IV catheter or slowing the infusion to a keep-vein-open (KVO) rate. Also, the nurse would need to clarify a KVO prescription with the HCP for a precise rate. Educational objective: IV access is necessary for administering intermittent IV opioids to control postoperative pain. A saline lock keeps the line patent and allows greater mobility than a continuous infusion.

A Client Who Is 24 Hours Postoperative Bowel Resection Is