Term
| Continuous IV Infusion (also intravenous drip) |
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Definition
| The drug is injected into a large IV bag and administered continuously over several hours along with IV fluid, at the same rate of flow prescribed for the IV fluid. |
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Term
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Definition
| The drug can be added to a very small IV bag whose tubing is connected (or piggybacked) into the main IV tubing. |
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Term
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Definition
| All of the drug is drawn up into a syringe and injected over a short period of time (as a bolus) by pushing gently on the plunger of a syringe whose needle is inserted through a port (rubber stopper) located at the end of the IV tubing closest to the patient. |
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Term
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Definition
| If the patient doesn't need a large volume of IV fluid, but does need to have IV access maintained between doses of a drug, the physician can order the IV fluid to infuse at a very slow rate to just keep the vein open (KVO) and patent. |
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Term
| Saline Lock or Heparin Lock |
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Definition
| This special device allows IV access without the need for a continuously infusing IV fluid; provides a convenient way to administer intravenous drugs on an intermittent basis. |
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