Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) Practice Exam 2026 – Your All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

When an intravenous (IV) access site becomes inflamed, changing the IV access site is the appropriate action. Inflammation can indicate several potential issues, such as infection, phlebitis, or the onset of infiltration, which can compromise patient safety and the effectiveness of the IV therapy.

Continuing without change would risk aggravating the inflammation and possibly leading to severe complications, including systemic infection. Monitoring the site alone does not address the underlying issue and may allow the condition to worsen. While applying heat to the site may provide temporary relief, it does not resolve the problem and could potentially exacerbate inflammation or infection, as heat can promote vascular permeability and encourage the spread of bacteria.

In summary, when faced with an inflamed IV access site, it is crucial to change the site to ensure the patient's safety and maintain effective and safe administration of intravenous therapy.