Is swelling after an IV ok?

I had an IV 11 hours ago on my hand. It is still swollen in the area, i can't see my veins, it's a lil bruised too. Is this normal? The nurse said it was but it's quite sore and ugly looking. I feel uncomfortable having a hand like this. It in fact really bothers me, almost traumitizing.

Yes, it is normal, especially if the IV infiltrated. This means that the fluid seeped into surrounding tissues. There are a myriad of reasons why this might happen. The swelling will gradually be absorbed by your body. You may want to ice the area. The bruise is also normal. Sometimes IV sites bruise and sometimes they don't. Don't be traumatized, it is not at all serious.

yes this sounds normal, you can alternate heat and cold compresses. The bruising may stick around for a week.

It could be a broken blood vessel and subsequent bruising from the blood leaking into the tissues where they missed your vein when inserting the IV. I am a nurse and it happened to me once, that some other nurse couldn't find my vein to insert an IV before surgery...wanted to freak out, but I didn't...nurses are human too...

Try an ice pack in the early stages and maybe a heating pad in the later stages. You could try pain relievers if it is uncomfortable and aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen might relieve the swelling some too (anti-inflammatory)...

If it is red or has red streaks and is warm, then go to the ER or doctors and get it checked for infection, etc...but if it is cool to the touch and just a bruise, it should heal in time...

Tags

　　Blood Pressure Monitor 　　Autoclave 　　Aed 　　Blood Transfusion 　　IVP 　　IV Nursing 　　IV Injection 　　IV Infusion 　　IV Needles 　　IV Drip 　　IV Antibiotics 　　IV Therapy

Related information

Too much IV fluid..water pills ?

Stop drinking so much water. It makes it worse. Keeping active and raising your legs is the best non medication way to get rid of the water as well as decreasing the fluids you drink. I'd ...

IV's and veins...?

i too have this problem. try eating a good meal about an hour before your to have the iv and drink something on the way to the dr. there is nothing you can do to make veins bigger

...

The nurse has a hard time getting blood or starting iv on me what can i do o make my vains better?

Drink plenty of water which will plump up your blood vessels. Then, as long as the nurse or tech can feel the vein, he or she should be able to get into it - even if it is narrow.

...

Problems with my IV... i'm just might sue!!?

its phlebitis, common after an iv...apply local heat 3 times a day and it should resolve.

...

Im having IV sedation for a coscopy in 7 days. I was told it was ok to take my meds b4,?

Because of having IV sedation that means an anesthesiologist will probably be present. I would recommend talking to someone in the anesthesia dept to find out what they say about this. I ran in...

Ok so iv had my Laparoscopy now and im confused as to what went on??

Its a bit difficult to answer your question as I don't know the circumstances of your laparoscopy. If you were admitted as a day case for a diagnostic laparoscopy then it is extremely unlikely...

I am an LPN with 33 years of nursing experience. Family relocating. Want city with highest per hour pay?

You really need to consider cost of living in the city besides just the hourly wage. It doesn't help to go after the big bucks if it costs three times as much to live there as anywhere else!<...

What are some expected outcomes for a nursing diagnosis of risk for self-harm?

"PT has expressed thoughts of suicide but seems more desperate to get into therapy to deal with her/his problems." "Pt has agreed to sign 'no-suicide' contract" ...