Discuss possible complications of intravenous (IV) therapy.

Some of the complications include infiltration, hematoma, phlebitis, and air embolism. In infiltration, the IV fluid infuses outside the intravascular space and enters the space surrounding soft tissues. This aspect may be caused by placing the needle outside the vessel lumen. Symptoms include swelling of soft tissues. In hematoma, blood leaks to the surrounding soft tissues. It may occur when the IV angiocatheter cuts across multiple walls of a vessel. It can be controlled through the application of pressure at the IV site after the catheter is removed. Air embolism occurs when air enters the vein at the site of IV administration. The complication can be prevented by ensuring that the IV tubing does not have air bubbles. Finally, phlebitis is the inflammation of the vein through which IV fluids are being administered, especially due to changes in the pH of the fluids involved. Warm compresses coupled with non-steroidal substances can be used to alleviate this complication.