Which symptoms may occur if docetaxel extravasates?

• A. Edema, erythema, occasional pain and blister formation
• B. Nausea and fever only
• C. Increased appetite and sleep
• D. Hair growth and improved mood

Answer: (A)

When a vesicant like docetaxel leaks into surrounding tissue, it directly injures the local area, causing signs of inflammation and tissue damage at the IV site. The typical local presentation includes swelling (edema), redness (erythema), pain, and blistering as the drug damages skin and underlying tissues. These are the hallmark symptoms of extravasation.

Systemic effects such as nausea and fever reflect the overall impact of chemotherapy on the body, not the local tissue injury from a leak, so they don’t describe extravasation. Likewise, increased appetite and sleep, or hair growth and improved mood, aren’t related to this local tissue damage and don’t indicate extravasation.