The below was asked at the Chemotherapy Forum at ONS Online: any feedback?
We have a lady who was rec'g a continuous infusion of 5FU via peripheral IV
as part of a FOLFOX4 regimen. (Why no central line?? surgeon is out of
town!) The concentration was 3.8 mg/ml running at 22 ml/hr. Hard to tell
from the chart when the problems started. Although 5FU has been identified
as a weak vesicant, I see nothing in the ONS guidelines on pg 79-81 about
it. The med onc wants warm compresses. As of this point, pt has maybe
slight induration from wrist (point of infiltration) up to 2 inches above
elbow, with skin sensitivity to touch and discomfort circumferentially
around arm. No discolorations that I can see. What would you use for
treatment?
Nadine Nakazawa, RN, BS, VA-BC