Help please!--Is this a reaction to an IV???

I had a scope on Tuesday with fentanyl and Phenergan in the IV.  I did not have any reaction that day or not that I noticed Wednesday.  However, yesterday and today, I have a 2x4inch red blotch just above the IV site and it is a little tender.  I have never had this before, but I also never had phenergan before. 

Something that will go away or something that should be looked at or something that should be looked at if it doesn't go away by Monday?  i ask because I tend to just let things run their course.

Phenergan is a very, very caustic drug to the veins. If not given properly, people can have extremely serious consequences from improper injections of Phenergan. I have had it happen to me and as a nurse I should have known better as we ALWAYS dilute it and not give it straight IV push. The following is an excerpt from the Institute of Safe Medication Practices regarding Phenergan.

"Serious tissue injury with IV PHENERGAN (promethazine) (16)
Problem:IV administration of promethazine has led to repeated cases of severe tissue damage that often required surgical intervention, including fasciotomy, skin graft, and even amputation. In one of the most recent events, IV administration of promethazine led to the amputation of a thumb and fingers of a 19-year-old woman who was suffering from flu-like symptoms.
Recommendation:Limit the concentration to 25 mg/mL strength; dilute the drug further in 10-20 mL of normal saline; administer the drug slowly through large-bore veins. Build alerts to appear on computerized prescriber order entry systems, MARs, and automated dispensing cabinet screens. Use alternatives such as 5-HT3 antagonists when appropriate. Additional recommendations can be found in the newsletter article."

Hopefully this helps you. But please do not let it go if it is really bothering you.

Jill

I concur w/Ides. Warm as you can comfortably stand moist compresses multiple times a day.

I've had [b]multiple[/b] short and long term IVs thru the years w/no problems. ONE time my entire upper arm did get warm, hot and hard. It that case it was most likely that the IV leaked out of the vein and under the skin.

I did have one IV of improperly administered phenergan and toradol (not diluted enough and given too close to the IV set site) and ended up with not only superficial thrombophlebitis but also a blood clot in the axillary vein.

By the way: Toradol is becoming a VERY popular pain killer, as effective as morphine and not a .... narcotic? opiod? BUT it IS an [b]NSAID[/b] so ... be forewarned. It is also very irritating to the veins and MUST be properly diluted and administered a good distance from the IV set site.