Shortly after starting an IV on your patient, you note that the IV is not dripping. You have removed the constricting band, and all the clamps on the tubing are open. You note that there is minor swelling around the venipuncture site. There is no discoloration of the site, but it is cool and firm to the touch. Which of the following most likely accounts for your findings?
A) The site has become infected.
B) The tip of the catheter is occluded by a blood clot.
C) Fluids extravasated into the tissue surrounding the IV site.
D) The tip of the catheter is occluded by a valve in the vein.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symptoms described, such as minor swelling around the venipuncture site, no discoloration, and the site being cool and firm to the touch, suggest that fluids have extravasated into the tissue surrounding the IV site. This condition, known as infiltration, occurs when IV fluids leak into the surrounding tissue instead of flowing into the vein.

Shortly After Starting an IV on Your Patient, You Note