INTRAVENOUS THERAPY

Definition:

"Intravenous therapy or IV therapy is the giving of liquid substances into vein". 

• It can be intermittent or continuous; continuous administration called an Intravenous drip. 
• The word intravenous simply means "within vein" but is most commonly used to refer to IV therapy.
• Compared to other routes of administration, the intravenous route is the fastest way to deliver fluids and medications throughout the body. Some medications, as well as blood transfusions and lethal injections can only be given intravenously.
• The simplest form of intravenous access is a syringe with an attached hole in needle. The needle is inserted through the skin into a vein, and the contents of the syringe are injected through the needle into the bloodstream. This is easily done with an arm vein, especially one of the metacarpal veins.
• Usually, it is necessary to use a constricting band first to make the vein bulge; once needle is in place, it is common to draw back slightly on the syringe to aspirate blood, thus verifying that the needle is really in the vein; then constricting band is removed before injecting. It is a convenient way to deliver life-saving medications in an emergency. However, in a controlled healthcare setting, direct injection is rarely used since it only allows delivery of a small dose of medication.

Uses of IV Therapy:

1. Establish or maintain fluid and electrolyte balance.
2. Administer medication continuously or intermittently.
3. Administer bolus medication.
4. Administer blood or blood products.
5. Administer intravenous anesthetics.
6. Administer diagnostic reagent.
7. Correct acidosis or alkalosis.
8. Monitor hemodynamic function.

Portable Ports:

• A port often referred to by brand names such as Port-a-Cath or Medi Port; is a central venous line that does not have an external connector; instead, it has a small reservoir implanted under the skin.
• Medication is administered intermittently by placing a small needle through the skin into the reservoir.
• Ports cause less inconvenience and have a lower risk of infection and are therefore commonly used for patients on long-tern intermittent treatment.
• Blood can be drawn from a peripheral IV line, if necessary, but only if it is in a relatively large vein and only if the IV line is newly inserted.
• Blood draws are typically taken with specialized IV access sets known as phlebotomy kits, and once the draw is complete, the needle is removed, and the site is not used again. If a patient needs frequent venous access, the veins may scar and narrow, making any future access extremely difficult or impossible; this situation is known as a "blown vein", and the person attempting to obtain the access must find a new access site proximal to the "blown" area.

Intravenous Drip:

• An IV drip is the continuous infusion of fluids, with or without medications, through an IV access device. This may be to correct dehydration or an electrolyte imbalance, to deliver medications, or for blood transfusions.

IV Fluids:

• Intravenous fluids provide volume replacement and administer medications, including electrolytes.