Montgomery County Fire & Rescue IV Maintenance for EMTB

Complications of
IV Therapy

LOCAL COMPLICATIONS: complications at the IV site.
- pain
- hematoma
- infiltration
  - blood and/or fluid leaking from the IV site
  - swelling at the puncture site - with or without pain
  - cool skin at IV site
  - flow rate sluggish or absent
- infection (localized to the IV site)
- dislodged catheter
- tissue sloughing
CENTRAL COMPLICATIONS: Complications that affect the entire body.
- air embolism
- catheter embolism (catheter or part of the catheter breaks from hub and is carried by the blood through the vein)
- congestive heart failure (CHF)
- overhydration
- pulmonary edema (usually due to overhydration or CHF)
- pulmonary thromboembolism
- sepsis (infection)
- syncope (fainting)
GENERAL COMPLICATIONS: Complications that involve the IV components.
- restricted flow
  - bent tubing
  - fluid-filled drip chamber
  - inappropriate bag placement
- empty IV solution bag