What to Report — Immediately During an Infusion
Pain or burning at your infusion site — whether you have a cannula, PICC line or port — is a signal to act on, not sit out. Raise your hand or press the call button. Do not wait to see whether it settles.
Medically reviewed by Dr. N. Kiranmayee, Medical Oncologist · Last reviewed September 2026
- Tell your nurse immediately — Pain, burning or swelling at the site during an infusion is always worth reporting, no matter how mild it feels at first.
- Some drugs can damage tissue — Certain chemotherapy drugs cause serious harm if they leak outside the vein — early reporting is what prevents it.
- Your infusion will be paused — The nurse will stop the drip and check the site. This is routine, not alarming.
- Infection signs matter too — Redness, warmth or swelling that appears after your session, especially with fever, needs same-day contact with your team.
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Pain or burning at your infusion site is not ordinary discomfort to push through. Tell your nurse right away. Some chemotherapy drugs can leak out of the vein into surrounding tissue — a process called extravasation — and cause lasting damage if not treated within minutes.
Which sensations should I tell my nurse about right now?
Any pain, burning or stinging at the needle, PICC or port site — or along the arm — is a signal to act on immediately, not to wait on.
Swelling, tightness or a feeling of pressure under the skin are also signs to report. The drip may slow down or stop, which can happen when the cannula has shifted position.
A cold feeling under the skin — different from the general coolness of the infusion fluid — can also mean fluid is going where it should not.
Why does it matter if a drug leaks outside the vein?
Some chemotherapy drugs — called vesicants — can cause serious damage to the tissue around the vein if they leak outside it. The term for this is extravasation.
The damage can range from surface redness to deeper injury to skin and underlying tissue. How much damage occurs depends mainly on how quickly the problem is caught.
Your nurse and oncologist know which drugs you are receiving and will act accordingly. Your job is to report the sensation immediately, not to decide whether it is serious.
What symptoms do I need to report during an infusion?
- Pain at the needle, PICC or port site, even if mild
- Burning or stinging along the line or in your arm
- Swelling, puffiness or tightness near the site
- A cold sensation under the skin around the needle
- Redness or change in skin colour at the site
- The drip slowing down or stopping unexpectedly
- Fever, chills or shivering at any point during the infusion
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What happens when I tell the nurse something is wrong?
The infusion is paused
Your nurse will stop the drip immediately and ask you to describe what you felt and when it started.
The site is assessed
The nurse will check the needle or port site for swelling and confirm whether the access device is correctly positioned.
A decision is made
Depending on what is found, the nurse may resite the cannula, flush the line, or contact your oncologist. If extravasation is suspected, a specific response protocol is followed.
The infusion resumes or pauses
Many infusions resume once the problem is resolved. Your nurse will tell you what the next step is and keep you informed.
The event is documented
Everything is recorded in your file to help the team manage future infusions and track any site reaction over time.
What should I avoid doing while I wait for the nurse?
Do not move the needle or adjust any part of the line yourself. If the cannula has shifted position, moving it can make things worse.
Do not press on the site or rub the area. Wait for your nurse to examine it first.
Do not assume the discomfort will pass. Even if it eases, your nurse still needs to know it happened — a symptom that settles can still mean the line needs checking.
Your questions about infusion pain and reporting
What if the burning is very mild — do I still need to report it?
Yes, always report it regardless of how mild it feels at first. Extravasation can start as a subtle sensation and worsen over minutes. Your nurse would rather check a site and find nothing unusual than miss an early sign. There is no discomfort too small to mention during a chemotherapy infusion — you are not wasting anyone's time by speaking up.
I have a port or PICC line — can it still hurt during an infusion?
Yes. Ports and PICC lines are placed to protect the veins and reduce discomfort, but they still need to be accessed correctly for each session. If the needle is not fully seated in the port, or if the port pocket or PICC entry site is irritated, you may feel discomfort. Pain, burning or swelling near your port or PICC site during an infusion should be reported to your nurse right away, just as with a cannula.
What is the difference between a vesicant and an irritant?
Vesicants are drugs that can damage tissue if they leak outside the vein. Irritants cause inflammation and discomfort in the vein itself but are less likely to cause deep tissue injury. Your nurse knows which category your drugs fall into. The practical advice is the same either way: report any pain, burning or swelling immediately and let the team assess which drug is involved.
What signs of infection should I watch for after the infusion?
In the hours and days after your infusion, watch for redness, warmth, swelling or tenderness at the cannula, PICC or port site. Fever — or feeling unusually cold and shivery — alongside local redness needs same-day contact with your oncology team. Do not wait for your next scheduled appointment. Infection at an IV access site can develop quickly and needs prompt assessment.
Can the infusion be moved to the other arm if my usual site is painful?
Your nurse will decide whether resiting is appropriate and, if so, where. This depends on your vein condition, the drug being given, and whether a port or PICC line is in place. Do not ask anyone outside the clinical team to move or adjust the access device. Let the nurse make that decision with the full clinical picture in front of them.
Will I need to stay longer if I report something?
Possibly, for a short time, while the site is assessed and any necessary steps are taken. If the infusion is resited and there is no further concern, most sessions continue without a long interruption. Your nurse will tell you what to expect once they have assessed the situation — you will not be left without an update.
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Frequently asked questions
Is it normal to feel some warmth or coolness during an infusion?
A mild general warmth or coolness from the infusion fluid reaching your vein is not unusual. What is different is a burning sensation, a sharp pain, or a cold feeling localised to the skin around the needle site. Those are not ordinary infusion sensations and should be reported immediately rather than put down to the drug.
What is extravasation and how common is it?
Extravasation means chemotherapy fluid has leaked outside the vein into the surrounding tissue. It can happen when a cannula shifts or when a vein is fragile. It is not common, but it is one of the reasons nurses monitor infusion sites closely. The outcome depends largely on which drug was involved and how quickly the problem was identified and treated.
Can I move around or have a drink during the infusion?
Sipping water is generally fine and often encouraged. Moving around — including going to the toilet — is usually possible; your nurse will advise you at the start of the session. The key is not to pull on the line or adjust the drip stand without telling the nurse first. If you notice any change at the site when you move, tell your nurse when you return.
My vein feels sore after the infusion — is that normal?
Some soreness along the vein in the hours after an infusion is common, particularly with irritant drugs, and usually settles within a day or two. What to report is redness that is spreading, swelling that is worsening, a hard lump forming, or any fever. If the soreness is increasing rather than easing after 24 hours, call your oncology team rather than waiting for your next appointment.
Should I tell the nurse about pain I had at a previous infusion?
Yes, always. If you experienced pain, burning or swelling at any previous session, tell your nurse before the next one begins. This helps them choose the best access site, monitor the session more closely, and document any pattern. It is also the right moment to ask whether a port or PICC line might be a better option for your future treatment.
What should I watch for at home after the infusion?
Look at the access site — cannula, PICC or port — in the hours after you leave. Redness, swelling or warmth that is spreading, or pain that is getting worse rather than settling, needs a call to your team the same day. If you develop fever, shivering, or feel suddenly unwell, contact your oncology team immediately — these can be signs of infection and should not wait.
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