What are the signs of phlebitis and infiltration?
Symptoms of phlebitis
Table of Contents
What are the signs of phlebitis and infiltration?
Symptoms of phlebitis

- redness.
- swelling.
- warmth.
- tenderness.
- visible red “streaking“ on the skin along the vein.
- a rope- or cord-like structure that you can feel through the skin.
What happens when IV infiltrates?
An infiltrated IV (intravenous) catheter happens when the catheter goes through or comes out of your vein. The IV fluid then leaks into the surrounding tissue. This may cause pain, swelling, and skin that is cool to the touch.
What happens when a vein is infiltrated?
An extravasation occurs when there is accidental infiltration of a vesicant or chemotherapeutic drug into the surrounding IV site. Vesicants can cause tissue destruction and / or blistering. Irritants can result in pain at the IV site and along the vein and may or may not cause inflammation.
What does a infiltration look like?
Signs of IV infiltration can include the following: Discomfort, swelling, burning, or redness. Skin that looks white or blanched. Stretched or taut skin.

What is extravasation IV?
Extravasation (say “ex-truh-vuh-SAY-shun”) is leakage of fluid in the tissues around the IV site. It happens when the catheter has come out of the blood vessel but is still in the nearby tissue. It may also happen if the blood vessel leaks because it is weak or damaged.
What does infiltrated IV mean?
Infiltration is the accidental leakage of non-vesicant solutions out of the vein into the surrounding tissue. This can occur with many antibiotics, dextrose solutions, or even normal saline.
What happens if IV potassium infiltration?
Intravenous infusion of potassium chloride can cause dehydration, hypoxia, congestion, and edema of vascular endothelial cells, causing vasoconstriction and spasm.
What is difference between infiltration and extravasation?
Infiltration does not usually cause harm, but the medicine or solution may cause redness, swelling, and discomfort around the site. Extravasation refers to the unintentional administration of a vesicant medication into the surrounding tissue.
What are the stages of phlebitis?
Phlebitis manifests in four grades: Grade 1 – erythema around the puncture site, with or without local pain; Grade 2 – pain at the puncture site with erythema and/or edema and hardening; Grade 3: pain at the puncture site with erythema, hardening and a palpable venous cord; Grade 4: pain at the puncture site with …
What are the signs of IV infiltration?
Common signs include inflammation, tightness of the skin, and pain around the IV site. IV infiltration is a common complication of intravenous (IV) therapy. According to current medical reports, about 50% of IVs fail, with over 20% of those failures due to infiltration or extravasation. 1
What are IV infiltration and extravasation?
IV infiltrations and extravasations occur when fluid leaks out of the vein into surrounding soft tissue. Common signs include inflammation, tightness of the skin, and pain around the IV site. IV infiltration is a common complication of intravenous (IV) therapy.
How do you grade an IV infiltration?
Grading. In the clinical practice, the IV infiltration can be graded into five different categories: Zero. No symptoms; First grade. Skin appearance – blanche skin; Edema – under 1 inch (in any direction) The skin is cool upon touch; The patient can be with or without pain; Second grade. Skin appearance – blanche skin
What are the signs and symptoms of an IV infection?
This may cause pain, swelling, and skin that is cool to the touch. Some IV medicines can cause your skin and tissue to die (necrosis) if they leak into your tissues. IV infiltration of these medicines can also cause blisters, sores, and peeling skin. You develop a fever more than 101º F. Your symptoms get worse.