If a patient demonstrates signs of fluid overload after 1000 mL of IV fluid in 2 hours, what should be the nurse's priority action?

The nurse's priority action in the case of a patient demonstrating signs of fluid overload after receiving intravenous fluids is to slow the infusion to a keep vein open (KVO) rate and notify the healthcare provider. This approach is critical because it helps to manage the patient's fluid status while ensuring that the healthcare provider is informed of the situation for further assessment and decision-making.

Slowing the infusion reduces the volume of fluids the patient is receiving, which can alleviate further risk of fluid overload and its potential complications, such as pulmonary edema or heart failure. By notifying the healthcare provider, the nurse ensures that an appropriate plan can be formulated based on the patient's clinical status, which may include further monitoring, adjustments to the treatment plan, or additional interventions.

In addition, while stopping the IV completely might seem like a reasonable action, slowing it to KVO allows for possible future medication administration or fluid maintenance if needed. Checking for kinks in the tubing and assessing for dehydration are also important nursing actions, but they do not directly address the immediate risk posed by fluid overload in this scenario. The priority is to manage the current situation effectively while keeping the healthcare provider updated on the patient's condition.