1. Intravenous Therapy

2. Intravenous therapy or IV therapy is the administration of liquid substances directly into a vein. It can be intermittent or continuous; continuous administration is called an intravenous drip. The word intravenous simply means “within a vein”, but is most commonly used to refer to IV therapy. Considered faster-acting than oral or other forms of medication, intravenous or IV therapy allows medicine to reach the heart quickly, as well as circulate through the body extremely fast. Correct use of intravenous therapy should only be done by a medical professional unless otherwise indicated.

4. Used to deliver electrolytes, nutrients, and water to the body.

5. Used to increase blood sugar levels for someone who suffers a sudden drop in blood pressure.

6. Can be used for emergency delivery of drugs, or proper dosage of medication over intervals.

11. Medications reach the heart immediately, and are quickly distributed to the rest of the body.

12. There is room for multiple parallel compartments within the catheter, so that multiple medications can be delivered at once even if they would not be chemically compatible within a single tube.Advantages of Central IV Lines

13. The peripheral IV line is the most common intravenous access method in both hospitals and paramedic services. A peripheral IV line consists of a short catheter ( a few centimeters long) inserted through the skin into a peripheral vein. A peripheral vein is any vein that is not in the chest or abdomen.

14. An intravenous 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 transfusion. Intravenous Drip

16. Colloids contain larger insoluble molecules, such as gelatin; blood itself is a colloid.The most commonly used crystalloid fluid is normal saline, a solution of sodium chloride at 0.9% concentration, which is close to the concentration in blood.

18. A long sterile tube with a clamp to regulate or stop the flow

19. A connector to attach to the access device

22. For those undergoing IV treatments that last for several days, care must be taken to ensure that the veins are not overused.

23. Veins are subject to infection and irritation from prolonged IV use, and many IV therapists will usually change the location of the IV every day or two to prevent damage.

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