Which statement best differentiates infiltration from extravasation?

Which statement best differentiates infiltration from extravasation?

• A. Extravasation involves an agent harmful to tissue
• B. Extravasation is less dangerous
• C. Infiltration involves tissue damage
• D. They are completely different processes

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is that extravasation implies a leak of a tissue-damaging or vesicant agent into the surrounding tissue, which can lead to tissue injury or necrosis, whereas infiltration involves leakage of IV fluid that is usually not harmful to tissue and generally causes only swelling or discomfort. That’s why the best differentiator is that extravasation involves an agent harmful to tissue. The other options don’t fit: extravasation isn’t less dangerous; infiltration can cause tissue damage only in unusual cases, but not as a defining feature; and they are not completely different processes—the distinction is specifically the tissue-damaging potential of the leaking agent.

The main idea here is that extravasation implies a leak of a tissue-damaging or vesicant agent into the surrounding tissue, which can lead to tissue injury or necrosis, whereas infiltration involves leakage of IV fluid that is usually not harmful to tissue and generally causes only swelling or discomfort. That’s why the best differentiator is that extravasation involves an agent harmful to tissue. The other options don’t fit: extravasation isn’t less dangerous; infiltration can cause tissue damage only in unusual cases, but not as a defining feature; and they are not completely different processes—the distinction is specifically the tissue-damaging potential of the leaking agent.