IV Therapy, Blood Transfusion, Parenteral Nutrition & Biologic Therapy Questions & Answers
Local complications Complications that occur at or near the insertion site.
Systemic complications Complications that affect the whole body via the
circulation and are often life-threatening.
Phlebitis Inflammation of the inner layer (tunica intima) of a
vein.
Thrombophlebitis Venous inflammation with thrombus (clot) formation.
Infiltration Escape of a NONvesicant medication/solution from
the vein into surrounding tissue.
Extravasation Escape of a VESICANT medication/solution from the
vein into surrounding tissue.
Ecchymosis A bruise caused by escape of blood from injured
vessels.
Hematoma A swelling comprising a mass of blood confined to
subcutaneous tissue, caused by a break in a blood
vessel.
Venous spasm Sudden constriction of the vein.
Thrombosis Formation/presence of a blood clot; clotting within a
vessel that may interrupt blood flow.
CABSI Catheter-associated bloodstream infection —
bloodstream infection from a peripheral or central
VAD.
, IV Therapy, Blood Transfusion, Parenteral Nutrition & Biologic Therapy Questions & Answers
Air embolism Sudden obstruction of a blood vessel caused by air
introduced into the circulation.
Embolism Sudden obstruction of a vessel by a clot or foreign
material formed/introduced elsewhere and carried to
the point of obstruction.
Circulatory overload Increased blood volume, often from transfusions or
excessive IV fluid administration.
Pulmonary edema Accumulation of extravascular fluid in lung tissues
and alveoli.
Speed shock Systemic reaction when a substance is rapidly
introduced into the circulation.
Sepsis Presence of pathogenic microorganisms progressing
to a serious, often fatal syndrome with organ
dysfunction.
Aseptic Non Touch Technique (ANTT) Hand hygiene + an aseptic field + effective 'non-
touch' technique.
Vesicant Any medication or fluid capable of causing tissue
injury (necrosis/damage) when it escapes the vein.
Bolus Concentrated medication/solution given rapidly over
a short period.
IV push Administration over minutes of medication from a
syringe directly into the VAD or through an injection
port.
Intermittent infusion IV therapy administered at prescribed intervals.
Local complications Complications that occur at or near the insertion site.
Systemic complications Complications that affect the whole body via the
circulation and are often life-threatening.
Phlebitis Inflammation of the inner layer (tunica intima) of a
vein.
Thrombophlebitis Venous inflammation with thrombus (clot) formation.
Infiltration Escape of a NONvesicant medication/solution from
the vein into surrounding tissue.
Extravasation Escape of a VESICANT medication/solution from the
vein into surrounding tissue.
Ecchymosis A bruise caused by escape of blood from injured
vessels.
Hematoma A swelling comprising a mass of blood confined to
subcutaneous tissue, caused by a break in a blood
vessel.
Venous spasm Sudden constriction of the vein.
Thrombosis Formation/presence of a blood clot; clotting within a
vessel that may interrupt blood flow.
CABSI Catheter-associated bloodstream infection —
bloodstream infection from a peripheral or central
VAD.
, IV Therapy, Blood Transfusion, Parenteral Nutrition & Biologic Therapy Questions & Answers
Air embolism Sudden obstruction of a blood vessel caused by air
introduced into the circulation.
Embolism Sudden obstruction of a vessel by a clot or foreign
material formed/introduced elsewhere and carried to
the point of obstruction.
Circulatory overload Increased blood volume, often from transfusions or
excessive IV fluid administration.
Pulmonary edema Accumulation of extravascular fluid in lung tissues
and alveoli.
Speed shock Systemic reaction when a substance is rapidly
introduced into the circulation.
Sepsis Presence of pathogenic microorganisms progressing
to a serious, often fatal syndrome with organ
dysfunction.
Aseptic Non Touch Technique (ANTT) Hand hygiene + an aseptic field + effective 'non-
touch' technique.
Vesicant Any medication or fluid capable of causing tissue
injury (necrosis/damage) when it escapes the vein.
Bolus Concentrated medication/solution given rapidly over
a short period.
IV push Administration over minutes of medication from a
syringe directly into the VAD or through an injection
port.
Intermittent infusion IV therapy administered at prescribed intervals.
