A nurse administering norepinephrine IV notices redness and edema at the IV site. What is the first action to take?

Stopping the infusion and administering diluted phentolamine is the appropriate first action when noticing redness and edema at the IV site while administering norepinephrine. Norepinephrine is a potent vasoconstrictor that can cause tissue necrosis if extravasation occurs, leading to local complications. The redness and edema indicate possible infiltration or extravasation, which can cause harm to the tissues surrounding the IV site.

Phentolamine is an alpha-adrenergic antagonist that can counteract the effects of norepinephrine by promoting vasodilation, thereby reducing the risk of tissue damage. By stopping the infusion immediately and administering the appropriate antidote, the nurse takes critical steps to protect the patient's tissue and prevent further complications. This intervention prioritizes patient safety and addresses the immediate concerns associated with the extravasation of norepinephrine.

Other actions, such as increasing the infusion or assessing urine output, would not adequately address the issue at hand, while establishing a new IV site would not be the most immediate concern given the risk of tissue damage from the current infusion.