Prevention and Management of Intravenous Extravasation

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Intravenous therapy is one of the most common nursing processes. However, administering medications and/or solutions intravenously is not without significant risk. One of these risks is IV extravasation, the inadvertent infusion of a vesicant into tissue rather than into the intended venous system. This complication can result in catastrophic injury and is the basis of a large number of malpractice lawsuits. To protect the nurse, the facility, other members of the healthcare team and, most of all, the patient, the nurse must be knowledgeable regarding appropriate IV sites, which drugs and solutions are vesicants, and the appropriate actions to take in the event of an extravasation. Extravasations cannot be eliminated in all circumstances, but appropriate care can minimize the risk, as well as the negative effects when it does occur. This instructional CNE course has been designed to provide the relevant information needed to meet this goal and provides 1 contact hour of continuing education.

Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to:

1. Distinguish the difference between an infiltration and an extravasation.
2. Describe INS and ONS standards of practice related to vesicant administration.
3. Discuss appropriate measures to prevent an IV extravasation.
4. Recognize at least three classes of drug generally accepted as vesicants.
5. Discuss at least four measures used to treat extravasations.

Curriculum

Chapter 1: Introduction

• Definitions
• Scope of the Problem
• Liability
• Standards of Practice

Chapter 2: Prevention

Chapter 3: Vesicant Lists

• Antineoplastic Agents
• Non-cytotoxic Agents

Chapter 4: Treatments

• Antidotes
• Administration

Chapter 5: Documentation

Chapter 6: References