A patient complains of pain at the venous needle site with swelling distal to the site and rising venous pressure. What condition should the technician suspect?

The scenario describes a patient experiencing pain at the venous needle site, along with swelling distal to the site and an increase in venous pressure. These symptoms are indicative of infiltration. Infiltration occurs when the needle has inadvertently punctured through the blood vessel, allowing blood or fluid to leak into the surrounding tissue, which results in swelling (edema) at the site.

When there is swelling distal to the needle site, it suggests that the fluid is accumulating in the tissue, which is characteristic of infiltration. Additionally, the increase in venous pressure can be attributed to the obstruction caused by the infiltrated fluid or blood, leading to a blockage of normal blood flow.

Recognizing infiltration is crucial because if left untreated, it can lead to more severe complications such as compartment syndrome or damage to the surrounding tissue. Swift identification and appropriate intervention are important to protect the patient’s safety and vascular access integrity.