An IV is commonly called intravenous therapy, or simply intravenous. This term refers to a medical procedure where substances are delivered directly into a person's bloodstream through a vein.
Understanding Intravenous Therapy
Intravenous (pronounced in-trah-VEE-nus) therapy is a highly effective and widely used method in healthcare. It allows for the rapid and direct absorption of various vital components into the body's circulatory system, bypassing the digestive system where some substances might be degraded or absorbed slowly.
What Can Be Administered via IV?
IV therapy is versatile and used for a range of medical purposes, including the delivery of:
- Fluids: Essential for hydration, especially when a patient cannot drink or is severely dehydrated.
- Medications: Many drugs are more effective or require rapid onset when administered directly into the bloodstream. This includes antibiotics, pain medications, and chemotherapy.
- Nutrition: For patients unable to eat or absorb nutrients through their digestive system, complete nutritional support can be provided intravenously.
- Blood or Blood Products: Lifesaving transfusions of blood, plasma, or platelets are administered via IV.
Components of an IV Setup
An IV setup typically comprises several key components working together to ensure safe and effective delivery:
- Cannula: This is a tiny, flexible plastic tube that is carefully inserted into the patient's vein. Once in place, the needle used for insertion is withdrawn, leaving only the soft cannula inside the vein.
- Needle: Used to initially puncture the skin and vein to allow for the placement of the cannula.
- Plastic Tubing: This connects the cannula to the fluid bag.
- Fluid Bag: Contains the fluids, medication, nutrition, or blood product to be administered. Gravity or an infusion pump then delivers the contents into the tubing and, subsequently, the patient's bloodstream.
For more detailed information on intravenous therapy, you can refer to reputable medical resources like the Mayo Clinic's overview on IV Fluid Therapy.
