Intravenous (IV) therapy delivers fluids, medications, and nutrients directly into a person’s vein. This method allows substances to enter the bloodstream immediately, making it an efficient way to administer treatments. Healthcare professionals use IVs in emergency rooms, hospitals, and infusion clinics for various patient needs.
Understanding Intravenous Delivery
Intravenous administration bypasses the digestive system, a key advantage over oral intake. Oral substances must be processed by the stomach and liver, delaying their effect and reducing the amount entering the bloodstream. Direct delivery into the circulatory system ensures faster absorption and precise dosage control. This immediate entry provides nearly 100% bioavailability, meaning almost the entire dose is available for the body’s use. Rapid absorption leads to quicker therapeutic effects, beneficial in time-sensitive medical situations.
Primary Reasons for IV Therapy
IV therapy is used for rapid hydration, especially when a patient is severely dehydrated due to illness, intense physical activity, or inability to drink fluids. It replenishes lost fluids and electrolytes, essential for proper bodily function. In emergencies, IV lines allow immediate delivery of medications, blood products, or fluids to address acute conditions like heart attacks, strokes, trauma, or severe allergic reactions. This rapid access stabilizes patients and improves outcomes.
Nutritional support is another application for IV therapy, particularly for individuals unable to consume food or water by mouth due to reduced mental states or certain medical conditions. It ensures patients receive necessary vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients directly, bypassing digestive absorption issues. Blood transfusions also rely on IV access to deliver blood products, such as red blood cells or plasma, to patients experiencing significant blood loss or certain blood disorders.
Common Substances Given Through IV
Normal saline (0.9% sodium chloride) is a common IV fluid for rehydration due to its isotonic nature, similar to blood. Dextrose solutions provide energy and are used for patients with low blood sugar or as carriers for other medications. Lactated Ringer’s solution, containing electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and calcium, is often used for aggressive fluid replacement, such as in burn victims or after surgery.
Many medications are delivered via IV, including antibiotics for serious bacterial infections when oral antibiotics are ineffective or higher concentrations are needed. Pain medications, such as opioids and NSAIDs, are given intravenously for rapid relief, often after surgery or in emergencies. Chemotherapy drugs, requiring precise dosing and direct delivery to target cancer cells, are also administered through an IV.
Experiencing IV Therapy
A healthcare professional inserts a flexible tube (catheter or cannula) into a vein for IV therapy. Common insertion sites include veins in the arm, hand, or inner elbow due to their accessibility. The process involves a brief “stick” sensation as a needle guides the catheter into the vein. The needle is then removed, leaving only the flexible tube.
Once in place, patients generally do not feel pain, though some may experience minor bruising, discomfort, or redness at the insertion site. For peripheral IVs, the catheter can remain in place for several days to minimize the risk of complications like infection or phlebitis. The duration an IV stays in depends on the treatment plan and patient’s condition, allowing for continuous or intermittent administration.