A client receiving chemotherapy through an IV complains of pain, burning, and swelling around the IV site. The nurse notices the skin turning red and blistering. Which complication of IV therapy should the nurse suspect?

A) This choice is incorrect because phlebitis typically presents with redness, warmth, and swelling around the insertion site but does not cause blistering of the skin.

B) This choice is incorrect because infiltration involves swelling and coolness around the IV site, not blistering and redness.

C) This choice is incorrect because fluid overload is not associated with pain, burning, swelling, or blistering around the IV site.

D) This choice is correct. The client's symptoms of pain, burning, swelling, redness, and blistering around the IV site are indicative of extravasation, which occurs when chemotherapy or other vesicant medications leak into the surrounding tissues, causing tissue damage and skin breakdown.

A) This choice is incorrect because infiltration involves the inadvertent administration of IV fluid into the surrounding tissues and is not associated with purulent drainage and redness.

B) This choice is incorrect because phlebitis typically presents with localized symptoms around the insertion site, such as redness, warmth, and swelling, but it does not cause purulent drainage.

C) This choice is correct. The client's symptoms of pain, redness, and purulent drainage at the IV site are indicative of an infection, which can occur as a complication of IV therapy, especially in clients with diabetes who may have compromised immune systems.

D) This choice is incorrect because thrombophlebitis does not typically cause purulent drainage at the insertion site.