What it means
An IV complication in which the catheter slips out of the vein or the vein wall breaks, so non-irritating fluid flows into the nearby tissue. The site becomes swollen, cool, pale and tight, and may hurt; the IV may run slowly. When the leaking fluid is a vesicant (a drug that damages tissue), the same event is called extravasationek-strav-uh-SAY-shunThe leaking of an IV drug that damages tissue (a vesicant) out of the vein into the surrounding tissue.extra- outsidevas/o vessel-ation processFull entry .
For the nurse
Stop the infusion, remove the catheter, raise the arm, and apply warm or cold compresses according to the fluid and policy. Measure and record the swelling and restart the IV in another site, preferably the other arm.
In a chart
"IV site right forearm swollen, cool and pale; infusion stopped and catheter removed."
At a glance
| Spanish | infiltración |
|---|---|
| Also written | infiltrated, IV infiltration |
Easy to confuse with
extravasation
The leaking of an IV drug that damages tissue (a vesicant) out of the vein into the surrounding tissue.
Related terms
IV
Intravenous: into a vein, or the tube placed in a vein to give fluids and drugs.
infusion
The slow delivery of a fluid or drug into the body, usually into a vein, over a period of time.
extravasation
The leaking of an IV drug that damages tissue (a vesicant) out of the vein into the surrounding tissue.