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IV therapy is a common intervention in nursing practice and useful for rapidly addressing symptoms and restoring hemostasis. Although initiating IV therapy is a common nursing intervention, it is an invasive skill and requires diligent safety practices to prevent and address complications.
- Overview
- Uses
- IV vitamin therapy
- Procedure
- Benefits
- Side effects
- Risks and complications
- Frequently asked questions
- Summary
Intravenous (IV) therapy is administering fluids directly into a vein. It benefits treatment by enabling water, medication, blood, or nutrients to access the body faster through the circulatory system.
IV therapy is the most common invasive procedure medical professionals use in healthcare. This article discusses its uses, procedures, benefits, risks, and more.
IV therapy can treat:
•severe dehydration by administering fluids
•health conditions by administering medication
•pain by administering pain relief
•blood loss by blood transfusion
•malnutrition or inability to take food by administering nutrients
IV vitamin therapy can administer a high concentration of minerals and vitamins directly into the bloodstream rather than through the stomach.
A mix known as the Myers’ cocktail includes high doses of vitamins B and C, calcium, and magnesium. A medical professional dilutes the vitamins with sterile water.
They then put the fluid into an IV bag with a tube attached to the cannula.
Other types of IV vitamin therapies include:
•IV magnesium sulfate for acute asthma: A 2018 study found this treatment to be more beneficial than using a nebulizer, a device for inhalation medications through a face mask or mouthpiece, for children with acute asthma.
•IV selenium for acute respiratory distress syndrome: This can provide help for critically ill people who need mechanical ventilation.
Below is what happens during a typical IV therapy procedure:
1.Before the procedure, a healthcare professional will choose a vein where they insert the cannula. This may be in the forearm, wrist, the back of the hand, or the top of the foot. If a vein is difficult to find, they may use an ultrasound scan to guide the needle.
2.Once they have found a vein, the healthcare professional will sanitize the area with a wipe before inserting a fine needle attached to the cannula. They may use adhesive tape to hold the cannula in place.
3.Once the cannula is in place, healthcare professionals will use tubing to connect it to the IV.
4.During the infusion, a healthcare professional will regularly check the cannula to ensure that the IV is flowing properly and there is no pain or swelling in the area.
5.Once the IV therapy infusion is complete, the healthcare professional will disconnect the cannula from the tubing and remove it from the vein.
The benefits of using IV therapy in a healthcare setting include:
•Speed: By inserting medications, nutrients, and fluids directly into the vein, healthcare professionals can help a patient recover quickly. This may be particularly useful if the person needs fluids or electrolytes quickly, such as during severe dehydration.
•Efficiency: IV therapy bypasses the gastric system, so the body can absorb more fluids without them having to pass through the digestive system. This makes it easier to provide medication to the target organs quickly.
•Convenience: Once a medical professional inserts a cannula, it can stay there for several days. This means they can provide regular treatment without repeatedly inserting a needle to deliver more fluids.
Although IV therapy is generally safe and effective, it can cause side effects. These may include:
•damage to blood vessels
•bleeding from the site of insertion
•swelling in the area
•inflammation of the veins if the IV is present for a long time
•bruising at the site of insertion
According to a 2020 study, complications of IV therapy may include:
•allergic reaction to the adhesive tape that secures the IV in place
•hematoma, or swelling from clotted blood under the skin
•the formation of a blood clot
•cellulitis, or swelling in deep layers of the skin
•skin necrosis, or premature death of skin cells
Can you do IV therapy at home?
Some services offer IV vitamin therapy at home. However, IV therapy comes with risks and complications, and it is best for a person to only undergo IV therapy with trained medical professionals when they need it. A person should always consult a doctor or other healthcare professional before booking an at-home medical procedure.
How long does IV therapy stay in your system?
Fluids that enter the body through an IV may take effect quicker than if a person has consumed them orally. However, fluids, such as water, vitamins, and medication, should exit the body naturally, depending on the body’s digestive system. This may take a longer or shorter time, depending on the individual.
IV therapy is a way of administering blood, medication, water, nutrients, and other fluids directly into the bloodstream via the veins. It allows medical professionals to administer fluids to a patient quickly and efficiently.
Although it is common, IV therapy is an invasive procedure that carries some risks. Side effects may include bruising, bleeding, and swelling at the insertion site.
The purpose of intravenous (IV) therapy is to replace fluid and electrolytes, provide medications, and replenish blood volume. The nurse’s responsibilities in managing IV therapy include the following: assessing an IV site. priming and hanging a primary IV bag. preparing and hanging a secondary IV bag. calculating IV rates.
- 2023
Mar 18, 2022 · Intravenous (IV) fluids and medications are administered through flexible plastic tubing called an IV administration set. The IV administration set connects the bag of solution to the patient’s IV access site. There are two major types of IV administration sets: primary tubing and secondary tubing.
Intravenous therapy is a type of treatment that directly delivers nutrients and fluids into your veins. Injecting fluids and medication into your bloodstream is a quick way for them to be absorbed by the body. The nutrients immediately start circulating to the different body parts.
Sep 26, 2023 · Sep. 26. Written By Brandon Lang. Intravenous therapy is a very popular method in modern medicine. It is the administration of nutrients, medicines, and fluids directly into the bloodstream for quick absorption. In the past, people could receive IV therapy only in hospitals. Now they can get IV treatments from the comfort of their homes.
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May 19, 2024 · Intravenous Fluids. Pre-Catheterization or Preparation. 1. Review Physician’s Order. 2. Observe Hand Hygiene Procedures. 3. Gather Equipment. 4. Patient Assessment and Psychological Preparation. Patient Information to Consider. 5. Site Selection and Vein Dilation. Vein dilation techniques. Catheterization or Catheter Insertion. 1. Needle Selection.
