Intravenous therapy

Intravenous therapy is essential, particularly for patients who cannot ingest orally administered drugs, food, or minerals. To reduce the risks associated with prolonging a patient’s life, the procedure requires careful study and oversight. Are you a student considering a career as an intravenous therapy nurse, and perhaps you’re curious as to what that entails? Keep reading.

Table of Contents

What is the intravenous treatment?

Intravenous therapy is a medical technique for administering medication, fluids, nutrients, and sustenance through a patient’s vein. People who are unable or unwilling to consume water or food orally, such as those with diminished mental capacity, are frequently rehydrated and fed via intravenous administration.

Additionally, intravenous therapy could be used to correct electrolyte imbalances or administer other medical treatments, such as blood transfusions or electrolytes. Although attempts to administer intravenous therapy were documented as early as the 1400s, the technique did not gain widespread acceptance until the 1900s, when safe and effective methods of administration were developed.

Intravenous therapy’s past

After falling ill in 1492, Pope Innocent VIII received blood from healthy individuals, signifying the first attempt to administer a therapeutic agent intravenously. The ineffective medication caused the death of the donors while failing to heal the pontiff. In 1656, medical practitioners successfully administered intravenous therapy to a dog as part of their research on the subject. This demonstrated that blood can be transfused between animals and humans using intravenous therapy.

In the late 1890s, the Italian physician Guido Bacilli improved intravenous therapy, which was further developed in the 1930s. However, it was not widely utilized until the 1950s. It took many years (roughly the 1910s and 1920s) for intravenous therapy to progressively replace gastric drips and rectal infusions as the method of choice for fluid replenishment.

In the 1960s, significant consideration was first given to meeting a person’s basic nutritional needs via intravenous injection. Initial parenteral nutrition supplements were composed of glucose and proteins that had been degraded. In 1975, intravenous fat emulsifiers and micronutrients were added to formulate “total drug treatment,” which is defined as nutrition consisting of proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates.

Intravenous treatment method

The most fundamental intravenous access method entails inserting a thin needle directly through the skin into a vein. This injector can be instantly connected to a hypodermic, allowing for the administration of a “bolus” dose. It is also possible to administer an infusion by inserting the cannula and attaching it to a section of tubing.

The diameter and wall thickness of catheters and needles can be specified in either French or Birmingham gauge. The capacity of the gauge determines how quickly minerals and vitamins will be delivered to the body.

Which two forms of IV therapy exist?

IV trickle

This is a form of treatment in which a plastic catheter is inserted into the veins and slowly inserted into the body. An expert inserts a needle into a vein and rapidly removes it once a plastic tube has reached the vein in order to administer a catheter drip. During the procedure, the patient can rest, read, or work.

IV thrust

This involves administering an intravenous injection into a previously inserted plastic catheter. In the course of intravenous pumps lasting up to 20 minutes, an average of 40ml of fluids are administered. Due to the nature of the procedures, IV pushes should be supervised by a professional.
Fluids and nutrients contained in an intravenous treatment container

The liquids accessible in an intravenous therapy bag depend on the type of treatment being administered. Vitamins, saline, minerals, and other drugs may be present in intravenous solutions. These are typical intravenous bag components;

Dextrose Saline
Fermented ginger
Vitamin B Calcium Magnesium
Antioxidants Antibiotics

The advantages of intravenous treatment

Energy management
Weight reduction
Hangover treatment
Nutrient deficiency management
Free radicals neutralize

Where to obtain intravenous treatment

Multiple locations offer intravenous therapy, including;

Hospitals

In addition to receiving various types of care, many hospital patients also receive IV therapy. In hospitals, patients receiving IV therapy are either inpatients or emergency patients.

Urgent care centers

Urgent care centers are equipped to treat other minor emergencies. For example, if you need sutures, you might visit an urgent care facility rather than the emergency department of a hospital. Urgent care facilities are generally more affordable than hospitals. Depending on the reason for your urgent care visit, you may receive IV therapy.

Medical resorts

Medical spas offer a variety of therapies, ranging from traditional spa services such as massages to procedures such as intravenous therapy. Because spas are a hybrid of a recreational facility and a medical clinic, the staff consists of both medical and non-healthcare professionals. If you receive an intravenous infusion, the medication should be administered by a medical professional.

residing at home

Concierge services, such as Mobile Intravenous Medics, make house calls. You can receive intravenous therapy at home rather than traveling to another location. If you live in Southern California, Nevada, Texas, Florida, Chicago, or Florida, you can undoubtedly receive the service.

IV bars

In IV lounges and bars, various intravenous therapies are offered. Some of these treatment facilities have permanent locations, while others are mobile.

Different intravenous therapy applications

Improving the immune system

Despite the immune system’s ability to prevent illness and sustain the body’s health, it is still possible to become ill. Whether you are concerned about getting unwell, particularly during the flu and cold seasons, or you are already ill, intravenous treatment can boost your immune function.

Numerous minerals and vitamins are included in intravenous therapy for immune support in order to strengthen the immune system naturally, accelerate healing, and reduce the risk of contracting certain diseases.

Therapy for hangovers

If you overindulge on a night out, you might feel terrible the following day. Symptoms of a hangover include a dry throat, throbbing headache, disturbed stomach, and the desire to keep the curtains drawn. A severe headache can make it difficult to concentrate and ruin your entire day.

Intravenous therapy is a viable alternative to the last-resort measures of consuming water or coffee with an over-the-counter pain reliever and retreating to bed. A hangover IV pack contains fluids to replenish the body, minerals to increase vitality, and medications to alleviate nausea, indigestion, and headache.

Rehabilitation of athletic performance

After an intense exercise, the body may feel exhausted and achy. If you participated in a marathon or went to the gym to lift weights, your body may require a boost. After periods of exertion, intravenous treatment facilitates athletes’ recuperation.

Multiple components of intravenous drip therapy are intended to assist in the rehabilitation of athletes. Fluids aid in rehydration, whereas nutrients, amino acids, and antioxidants increase your energy levels and the body’s ability to repair damaged tissues.

easing cold and flu symptoms

If your cold or flu symptoms are weighing you down, intravenous treatment may offer relief. For the treatment of the common cold and flu, an IV infusion rehydrates the patient. In addition, it contains minerals and vitamins that will help your immune system combat the infection. In addition, anti-nausea and anti-inflammatory medications alleviate disagreeable cold and flu symptoms such as fever, headaches, body aches, and coughing.

Providing relief from pregnancy symptoms

Morning sickness, which includes symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, occurs frequently during pregnancy. The symptoms may be caused by various environmental stimuli, such as specific flavors, odors, room temperatures, or even nothing.

Even though pregnancy symptoms typically diminish as the pregnancy progresses, they can still be bothersome and impede normal activities. Intravenous therapy for morning sickness includes fluids for rehydration, supplements, and medications for treating vomiting and nausea.

alleviation for headaches and migraines

Migraines and headaches can be extremely incapacitating. Although the exact cause of these diseases is not always known, common catalysts include stress, a poor diet, the environment, and certain medications. Despite the fact that we can identify our triggers and work to minimize them, headaches and migraines can still catch us off guard. Intravenous therapy for headaches and migraines contains vitamins and medications to alleviate severe symptoms.
The nursing duties for intravenous therapy

The following are the responsibilities of nurses in intravenous therapy management:

identifying the optimal IV site
Hanging and priming the IV tubing
assembling and attaching a secondary IV bag
Calculating intravenous rates
Monitoring the development of IV therapy
severing the peripheral IV connection

Perils of intravenous treatment

What is the most significant risk associated with intravenous therapy? The procedure may involve a number of hazards, including;

Infection at the injection site
Veins and the injection site are harmed.
Air embolism
Blood emboli occur.

To sum up

Intravenous therapy is the quickest method for administering medications, nutrients, and fluids directly into the circulation for absorption by the body. In 1600, the first attempt at IV therapy failed due to inadequate hygiene. Intravenous therapy has a variety of purposes, including boosting immunity and treating hangovers.

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