Extravasation

Abstract

Infiltration of cytotoxic medications into the subcutaneous tissue can be a devastating sideeffect of chemotherapy treatment. Since nurses are usually the ones giving antitumor agents, it is imperative that specific guidelines are followed in order to allow for safe administration of these agents. Although the nurse has exercised the utmost care during therapy, extravasation of a chemotherapeutic drug can occur. In addition, certain patients will have a greater risk for the potential extravasation of chemotherapeutics. Few recommendations for treating extravasations have been scientifically established; however, with the use of specific guidelines progression of toxicity can be prevented. © 1984 by the Intravenous Nurses Society.