A question arose regarding PIV site changes for patients with neutropenia. Although we assess IV sites frequently, what if the neutropenic patient doesn't manifest symptoms due to their diagnosis? Thoughts?
A question arose regarding PIV site changes for patients with neutropenia. Although we assess IV sites frequently, what if the neutropenic patient doesn't manifest symptoms due to their diagnosis? Thoughts?
Neutropenis will not prevent a blood return. Any PIV that looses a blood return should be removed. Neutropenia will not prevent the patient from complaining about pain or other forms of discomfort. You can still see edema with neutropenia. You might not be able to immediately detect the slight early pinkness that occurs with phlebitis, but there are many other signs and symptoms to be observed when an IV site is failing. Lynn
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, NPD-BC, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861