Patient Care Technician (PCT) AAH Practice Exam

What occurs when an IV infiltrates?

1. Needle pierces the vein

2. IV fluid flows into surrounding tissue

3. Patient will experience pain and swelling

4. All the above are true with IV infiltration

The correct answer is: All the above are true with IV infiltration

When an IV infiltrates, it means that the intravenous fluid intended for delivery into the vein instead escapes into the surrounding tissue. This can happen when the needle or catheter punctures the wall of the vein or when the vein collapses, causing the IV fluid to accumulate outside the bloodstream. As a result, the patient may experience pain and swelling in the area where the infiltration has occurred. Each aspect of the situation is interconnected: - The needle may indeed pierce the vein, which can lead to the infiltration. - The primary consequence is that the IV fluid flows into the surrounding tissue rather than remaining within the circulatory system. - Patients often report discomfort when infiltration occurs, which can manifest as pain or swelling as the surrounding tissue absorbs the fluid. Therefore, it is accurate to state that all these occurrences happen when an IV infiltrates, encapsulating the full scope of the situation effectively.