Describe IV infiltration and its signs.

Describe IV infiltration and its signs.

• A. Leakage of IV fluids into surrounding tissue causing edema and pain
• B. Infection at IV site
• C. Thrombosis of vein
• D. Air embolism

Answer: (A)

IV infiltration happens when the IV catheter isn’t in the vein properly, allowing IV fluids to escape into the surrounding interstitial tissue. The most noticeable signs are edema around the IV site and pain or discomfort in that area. The skin may feel tight and cool, and the infusion flow can slow or stop because the fluid isn’t being delivered into the bloodstream anymore. You might also see pallor or leakage of fluid under the skin as the tissue swells. This differs from infections at the IV site, which typically present with warmth, redness, and sometimes fever, or from vein thrombosis, which causes tenderness along the vein and a hard, cord-like vein. Air embolism presents more with sudden breathing trouble, chest pain, or faintness rather than localized swelling and pain at the site.

IV infiltration happens when the IV catheter isn’t in the vein properly, allowing IV fluids to escape into the surrounding interstitial tissue. The most noticeable signs are edema around the IV site and pain or discomfort in that area. The skin may feel tight and cool, and the infusion flow can slow or stop because the fluid isn’t being delivered into the bloodstream anymore. You might also see pallor or leakage of fluid under the skin as the tissue swells.

This differs from infections at the IV site, which typically present with warmth, redness, and sometimes fever, or from vein thrombosis, which causes tenderness along the vein and a hard, cord-like vein. Air embolism presents more with sudden breathing trouble, chest pain, or faintness rather than localized swelling and pain at the site.