What is the most common significant complication associated with peripheral venous catheters?

• A. Hematoma
• B. Infiltration
• C. Phlebitis
• D. Infection

Answer: (C)

When a peripheral venous catheter sits in a small vein, the vein wall can become irritated by the catheter itself and by the IV fluids or medications passing through it. That irritation triggers inflammation of the vein, which is phlebitis. This is the most common significant complication because the vein is continuously exposed to mechanical irritation from the catheter and chemical irritation from certain solutions, making inflammation a frequent and clinically important issue to recognize and manage. Phlebitis can lead to pain, warmth, redness along the vein, and sometimes a tender, cord-like feeling; if it progresses or if infection develops, it can threaten venous patency and require catheter removal and site change.

Infiltration, while common, involves fluid leaking into surrounding tissue rather than inflammation of the vein itself, so its implications and management focus on tissue edema and potential tissue injury rather than vein inflammation. Infection is a serious concern but occurs less frequently than phlebitis when proper aseptic technique is used.