I.V FLUIDS

IV (intravenous): Within a vein. IV is the abbreviation for "intravenous." Intravenous is a term that means “into the vein”. Intravenous medication administration occurs when a needle is inserted into a vein and medication is administered through that needle. The needle is usually placed in a vein near the elbow, the wrist, or on the back of the hand. Different sites can be used if necessary. Intravenous (IV) fluids are infused to maintain fluid balance, replace fluid losses, and treat electrolyte imbalances. They are commonly available in volumes ranging from 25 mL to 1,000 mL and are dispensed in either plastic bags or glass bottles. Glass bottles are used primarily for infusing substances that are unstable in plastic bags. For fluids to flow out of a glass bottle, there must be a mechanism that allows air to enter the bottle. This is usually accomplished by incorporating a vent into the drip chamber of the tubing. In most healthcare facilities today, IV solutions are supplied in plastic bags. Because the bag collapses as the fluid infuses, no air vent is required for the fluid to flow out of the bag.