Beginning IV Therapy and Flow Rate/ Learn
Elizabeth Bodman, Austin Community College 
Elizabeth Bodman, Austin Community College
What Is IV Therapy?
As the name implies, IV therapy allows us to infuse solutions directly into a person's veins. We can use IV therapy to provide fluids, electrolytes, medications, and sometimes even nutrition. There are benefits and risks to this type of therapy. Benefits include:
- allowing administration of life-saving solutions to patients unable to swallow.
- rapid onset of action of administered medications making this a preferred route in an emergency situation.
However, there are also risks associated with IV therapy. Any solution injected directly into a vein will quickly be disbursed throughout the body so any toxic effects may occur very quickly. Likewise, if the IV site is not properly cared for, a serious infection can develop.