Infiltration in IV therapy refers to what?

• A. An accumulation of fluid in the tissue surrounding an IV needle site
• B. A rapid IV bolus of saline
• C. Clotting within the IV line
• D. Air entering the IV line

Answer: (A)

Infiltration is when IV fluid leaks into the surrounding tissue around the catheter, not back into the bloodstream. This leakage causes swelling around the IV site, often with cool, pale skin and sometimes discomfort, because the fluid is now in the tissue rather than inside the vein. The other options describe different problems: a rapid IV bolus is just pushing fluid quickly into the vein, clotting within the line blocks flow, and air entering the line risks an air embolism. Therefore, the situation described—fluid accumulating in tissue around the IV needle site—best matches infiltration.