Infusion-toxicity grading system

Infusion-related eventsToxicity grade
01234
Fever None T < 38°C, 100.4°F T ≥ 38°C, 100.4°F NA NA 
Chills None Mild, requires symptomatic treatment (eg, blanket) or nonnarcotics Prolonged or pronounced, requires interruption of infusion and narcotics Prolonged or pronounced, not responsive to narcotics NA 
Hypotension/hypertension None or no change Asymptomatic, transient, requires no intervention Requires cessation/interruption of infusion Requires therapy (ie, fluid resuscitation, medication) Requires step-up in care (ie, hospitalization or transfer to ICU)  
Dyspnea, drop in pO2wheezing, bronchospasm None Asymptomatic, transient drop in pO2, requires no intervention Requires cessation/interruption of infusion and O2therapy Requires nebulizer, parenteral medications, or corticosteroids Requires step-up in care (ie, hospitalization or transfer to ICU)  
Rash, pruritus, hives, angioedema None Transient, requires no therapy Requires cessation/
interruption of infusion and medication 
Persists beyond 24 hours despite therapy NA 
Vomiting None 1 episode/24 h over pre-tx 2–5 episodes/24 h over pre-tx ≥ 6 episodes/24 h over pre-tx; or needs intravenous fluids Requiring TPN or step-up in care 
Nausea None Present, but no impairment in appetite Decreased appetite Requires intravenous supplementation NA 
Infusion-related eventsToxicity grade
01234
Fever None T < 38°C, 100.4°F T ≥ 38°C, 100.4°F NA NA 
Chills None Mild, requires symptomatic treatment (eg, blanket) or nonnarcotics Prolonged or pronounced, requires interruption of infusion and narcotics Prolonged or pronounced, not responsive to narcotics NA 
Hypotension/hypertension None or no change Asymptomatic, transient, requires no intervention Requires cessation/interruption of infusion Requires therapy (ie, fluid resuscitation, medication) Requires step-up in care (ie, hospitalization or transfer to ICU)  
Dyspnea, drop in pO2wheezing, bronchospasm None Asymptomatic, transient drop in pO2, requires no intervention Requires cessation/interruption of infusion and O2therapy Requires nebulizer, parenteral medications, or corticosteroids Requires step-up in care (ie, hospitalization or transfer to ICU)  
Rash, pruritus, hives, angioedema None Transient, requires no therapy Requires cessation/
interruption of infusion and medication 
Persists beyond 24 hours despite therapy NA 
Vomiting None 1 episode/24 h over pre-tx 2–5 episodes/24 h over pre-tx ≥ 6 episodes/24 h over pre-tx; or needs intravenous fluids Requiring TPN or step-up in care 
Nausea None Present, but no impairment in appetite Decreased appetite Requires intravenous supplementation NA 

pO2 indicates O2 pressure; T, temperature; NA, not applicable; ICU, intensive care unit; tx, treatment; and TPN, total parenteral nutrition.

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