Editing Intravenous therapy (section)

===Infiltration and extravasation===
{{main|Infiltration (medical)|Extravasation}}
Infiltration occurs when a [[Blister agent|non-vesicant]] IV fluid or medication enters the surrounding tissue as opposed to the desired vein. It may occur when the vein itself ruptures, when the vein is damaged during insertion of the intravascular access device, or from increased vein porosity. Infiltration may also occur if the puncture of the vein by the needle becomes the path of least resistance—such as a cannula which has been left inserted, causing the vein to scar. It can also occur upon insertion of an IV line if a tourniquet is not promptly removed. Infiltration is characterized by coolness and pallor to the skin as well as localized swelling or edema. It is treated by removing the intravenous line and elevating the affected limb so the collected fluids drain away. Injections of [[hyaluronidase]] around the area can be used to speed the dispersal of the fluid/drug.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Reynolds |first1=PM |last2=MacLaren |first2=R |last3=Mueller |first3=SW |last4=Fish |first4=DN |last5=Kiser |first5=TH |title=Management of extravasation injuries: a focused evaluation of noncytotoxic medications. |journal=Pharmacotherapy |date=June 2014 |volume=34 |issue=6 |pages=617–32 |doi=10.1002/phar.1396 |pmid=24420913|s2cid=25278254 |doi-access=free }}</ref> Infiltration is one of the most common adverse effects of IV therapy<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Schwamburger NT, Hancock RH, Chong CH, Hartup GR, Vandewalle KS | title = The rate of adverse events during IV conscious sedation | journal = General Dentistry | volume = 60 | issue = 5 | pages = e341-4 | year = 2012 | pmid = 23032244 }}</ref> and is usually not serious unless the infiltrated fluid is a medication damaging to the surrounding tissue, most commonly a vesicant or [[chemotherapeutic agent]]. In such cases, the infiltration is termed [[extravasation]], and may cause [[necrosis]].<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Hadaway L | title = Infiltration and extravasation | journal = The American Journal of Nursing | volume = 107 | issue = 8 | pages = 64–72 | date = August 2007 | pmid = 17667395 | doi = 10.1097/01.NAJ.0000282299.03441.c7 }}</ref>