A patient has IV therapy for the administration of antibiotics and is stating that the IV site "hurts and is swollen." Which one of the following items of information assessed on the patient indicates the presence of phlebitis,as opposed to infiltration?
A) Intensity of the pain
B) Warmth of integument surrounding the IV site
C) Amount of subcutaneous edema
D) Skin discoloration of a bruised nature

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Phlebitis is inflammation of the vein, which often causes warmth and redness in the surrounding tissue. Infiltration is the leakage of fluid out of the vein and into the surrounding tissue, which causes swelling and often coolness in the surrounding tissue. Therefore, the warmth of the integument surrounding the IV site is a sign of phlebitis rather than infiltration. The intensity of pain, amount of subcutaneous edema, and skin discoloration do not necessarily differentiate between phlebitis and infiltration.

A Patient Has IV Therapy for the Administration of Antibiotics