Which term describes the situation when an IV needle is out of the vein but fluids continue to infuse into surrounding tissue?

Which term describes the situation when an IV needle is out of the vein but fluids continue to infuse into surrounding tissue?

• A. Infiltration
• B. Infusion
• C. Inspiration
• D. Incontinence

Answer: (A)

Infiltration is the situation where IV fluids leak into the surrounding tissue because the needle or catheter is no longer within the vein. When the line isn’t in the vein, fluid still infuses, but it goes into the interstitial space, causing swelling and tissue irritation. You’d notice a swollen IV site, skin that feels cool or looks pale, and possible discomfort. The correct concept to focus on is that the infusion is no longer intravascular but is seeping into the body's tissues. The other terms don’t fit: infusion describes delivering fluids into the bloodstream, inspiration is breathing in, and incontinence is loss of bladder or bowel control. If needed, extravasation refers to leakage of a vesicant drug into tissue, which can cause more tissue damage, but for standard IV fluids, infiltration is the right term.

Infiltration is the situation where IV fluids leak into the surrounding tissue because the needle or catheter is no longer within the vein. When the line isn’t in the vein, fluid still infuses, but it goes into the interstitial space, causing swelling and tissue irritation. You’d notice a swollen IV site, skin that feels cool or looks pale, and possible discomfort. The correct concept to focus on is that the infusion is no longer intravascular but is seeping into the body's tissues. The other terms don’t fit: infusion describes delivering fluids into the bloodstream, inspiration is breathing in, and incontinence is loss of bladder or bowel control. If needed, extravasation refers to leakage of a vesicant drug into tissue, which can cause more tissue damage, but for standard IV fluids, infiltration is the right term.