Your patients will have various conditions that may require IV insertion to receive medications or nutritional fluids. In the medical field, IV therapy is quite common, which will require that you learn how to administer it accurately. That is why it is a good idea to know the five common peripheral IV insertion complications so that you can avoid them.

Air Embolism

An air embolism can be a fatal complication of IV insertion, and it occurs when a bubble of air enters an artery or vein. Air can enter the body by accident through an injection or catheter administration. When this air bubble enters the vein, it can be very dangerous because the air can travel to the heart, lungs, or brain and cause a heart attack, respiratory failure, or stroke.

Phlebitis

Phlebitis is the inflammation of the veins that usually occurs in the thighs as a result of a blood clot or a foreign object causing irritation, like an IV catheter. Phlebitis due to IV insertion is more likely to occur if a provider uses a cannula that is too large for the vein or if it is insecure.

With so many complications that can arise, it is understandable that you want to be as prepared and comfortable with IV insertion as possible. That is why we provide IV certification in NY to help you learn and practice peripheral IV insertion until it becomes second nature. At CPR123, we want to provide you with all the knowledge you need to succeed in an accessible way that accommodates your current skills.

Hypervolemia

One of the more common peripheral IV insertion complications is hypervolemia, which occurs when there is too much fluid in the body. It may sound surprising, as hydration is crucial to our bodies, but too much can result in a dangerous imbalance. Hypervolemia can result due to several conditions, one of which is an overload of IV fluids.

Extravasation

Extravasation occurs when intravenous fluids leak in and around the IV site rather than being directly injected into the veins. Extravasation can be incredibly dangerous, especially when administering potent IV therapy like chemotherapy. This is because it can lead to long-term complications like tissue necrosis, compartment syndrome, nerve damage, loss of limb function, and even amputation.

Infection

Sometimes a complication resulting from IV peripheral insertion can be as simple as an infection that occurs from not properly sterilizing the injection site before and after insertion. However, an infection can quickly snowball into more serious conditions, particularly if your patient has a compromised immune system. That is why maintaining the best hygiene and sterilization practices are crucial.