How often should a peripheral IV catheter be evaluated for dwell time, and when should it be replaced?

• A. Evaluate at least every 4 hours; replace or relocate within 72–96 hours or sooner if signs of infection or phlebitis appear.
• B. Evaluate every 24 hours; replace after 7 days.
• C. Never relocate.
• D. Evaluate every 8 hours.

Answer: (A)

Frequent assessment of a peripheral IV is essential because problems like infection, phlebitis, or infiltration can develop quickly and may not be obvious until they worsen. The best practice is to evaluate the IV at least every four hours so you can catch signs early. In addition, replace or relocate the catheter within 72 to 96 hours after insertion, or sooner if there are signs of infection or phlebitis—such as redness, warmth, swelling, tenderness, drainage, or loss of patency. This approach helps prevent complications while keeping IV therapy effective. Options that imply checking less often, never relocating, or only checking every eight hours don’t align with these safety guidelines and could miss problems that need prompt attention.