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Nursing vocabulary · IV Therapy and Fluids

Infiltration

Meaning in nursing, with examples

/ˌɪnfɪlˈtreɪʃən/nounAdvanced term

In nursing, infiltration means: The leaking of IV fluid or medicine out of the vein into the tissue around the cannula, causing swelling, coolness and discomfort.

In Turkish: infiltrasyon, damar dışına kaçma, branül kaçması

How it is used

When the leaking drug can damage tissue, for example some chemotherapy drugs, the term is 'extravasation'. UK nurses often say the cannula has 'tissued': 'Her cannula's tissued; I'll need to re-site it.' The usual response is to stop the infusion, remove the cannula and document the site.

Example sentences

  1. There are signs of infiltration around the cannula: her hand is swollen and cool.

  2. Check the site regularly for infiltration while the fluids are running.

Common collocations

  • signs of infiltration
  • IV infiltration
  • check for infiltration
  • infiltration of the cannula
  • cannulaA thin plastic tube put into a vein, usually in the hand or arm, so that fluids, medicines or blood can be given through it.
  • IVShort for intravenous: into a vein. As a noun it also means the line or drip that puts fluid or medicine straight into a vein.
  • flushTo push a small amount of fluid, usually saline, through a cannula or line to check that it works, keep it open or clear medicine from it.
  • dripAn everyday word for a bag of fluid or medicine that flows slowly into a patient's vein through a tube, or for the whole set-up.

More terms: IV Therapy and Fluids

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.