A patient receiving IV potassium complains of burning along the vein. What action should the nurse take first?

A. Slow down the rate of infusion: Potassium chloride is a known chemical irritant to the endothelial lining of small peripheral veins. Reducing the infusion rate decreases the concentration of the solute passing through the vessel per unit of time, which often alleviates the burning sensation. This is the first conservative action to maintain the IV line. B. Apply a warm compress to the site: A warm compress can promote vasodilation and potentially soothe the area, but it does not address the cause of the irritation. While it is a helpful supportive measure, the nurse should first modify the administration parameters of the irritant. It is a secondary intervention following the rate adjustment. C. Discontinue the infusion: Stopping the infusion is an aggressive step that may be necessary if there are signs of infiltration or phlebitis, such as swelling or redness. However, burning alone is a common side effect of potassium and can often be managed without losing the IV access. The nurse should try rate modification before total discontinuation. D. Switch the IV site immediately: Changing the IV site is premature if the current site is patent and showing no objective signs of extravasation or tissue damage. Repeatedly starting new IVs can deplete the patient's venous access options unnecessarily. The nurse should attempt to manage the irritation at the current site first.