What should you do if a patient develops fever during an IV antibiotic infusion?

• A. Stop the infusion, assess for reaction, notify the provider, and evaluate per protocol; restart only with order if approved.
• B. Continue infusion while giving acetaminophen.
• C. Turn up the infusion rate to flush the system.
• D. Discontinue IV therapy entirely.

Answer: (A)

Fever during an IV antibiotic infusion points to a possible infusion reaction, so the priority is to stop the infusion right away and assess the patient.

Stopping the infusion prevents further exposure to the drug in case this is a reaction. Assessing for signs such as rash, shortness of breath, wheezing, hives, or changes in vital signs helps determine how serious the reaction is. Notifying the provider and following the facility’s protocol ensures the right steps are taken next—this may include treating symptoms, obtaining orders for restart or alternative therapy, and monitoring the patient closely. Restarting the infusion should only happen with an order after the patient has been evaluated, to avoid worsening any reaction or triggering another episode.

Continuing the infusion and giving acetaminophen could mask symptoms and delay recognizing a true adverse reaction. Increasing the infusion rate to “flush out” the system could worsen a reaction or cause harm. Discontinuing IV therapy entirely isn’t automatically required; the appropriate action depends on the assessment and provider orders, which is why stopping the infusion and following protocol is the safest first step.