EFFECT OF WARM AND COLD APPLICATIONS ON THE RESOLUTION OF IV INFILTRATIONS

Differences in pain intensity, surface area measurements of induration and erythema, and interstitial fluid volume when warm versus cold app lications were randomly made to an intentional intravenous infiltrate of 5 mL of a designated solution were examined. Three solutions were u sed: 1/2 saline (1 54 mOsm), normal saline (308 mOsm), and 3% saline ( 1027 mOsm). Differences in volume were determined by magnetic resonanc e imaging (MRI) at three intervals postinfiltration. The sample was 18 healthy adults between 20 and 45 years. There was no difference in re maining infiltrate when 1/2 saline or normal saline were used, but a s ignificant (p < .001) difference was found with 3% saline. For all sol utions there was a significant (p < .001) difference in the volume of infiltrate remaining when warmth was applied and this effect held acro ss MRI readings and solutions. Pain intensity did not differ by treatm ent but a significant (p < .005) difference was found by solution, wit h 3% saline producing the greatest difference. Erythema was absent wit h all solutions. Surface induration was affected by solution and decre ased over time (p = .001). There was no effect of warmth or cold on su rface area induration.