For some drugs, this may mean placing a midline or peripherally inserted central catheter rather than using a peripheral I.V. line. You can also slow the infusion, administering it over a longer period. A fast-running infusion increases the risk of phlebitis by reducing hemodilution time, which allows more concentrated solution to come in contact with the tunica intima. However, slowing the rate of solution delivery increases the dwell time only slightly. How tonicity weighs in A drug's pH isn't the only factor in chemical phlebitis.
Solutions can be hypotonic, isotonic, or hypertonic.
When infused into the bloodstream, they cause water to move into the endothelial cells of the vein. Vein irritation and phlebitis result if the cells draw in too much water and burst. These are suitable as diluents and infusates because they're in equilibrium with the bloodstream and don't affect water movement to and from the vessel's cells. These solutions draw water out of the vessel cells, causing them to shrink and exposing the vessel membrane to damage. Because they're associated with chemical phlebitis, vessel irritation, and vessel thrombosis, these solutions usually aren't suitable diluents.