What is a common complication of IV therapy?

Fluid overload is a common complication of IV therapy because it occurs when excess fluid is administered into the bloodstream, which can overwhelm the body's ability to manage its fluid balance. This condition can lead to symptoms such as elevated blood pressure, edema, and respiratory distress due to pulmonary congestion, especially in patients with compromised cardiac or renal function. It's crucial to carefully monitor the volume and rate of IV fluid administration to avoid this complication, making awareness and proper management of fluid intake an essential component of safe IV therapy practices.

In contrast, nutritive excess is not directly linked to IV therapy as much as it relates to the overall nutritional intake of a patient, while food allergies pertain to oral intake rather than intravenous nutritional support. Decreased heart rate is not a typical complication of IV therapy; in fact, fluid overload can sometimes cause increased heart rates due to the body's compensatory mechanisms responding to excess volume.