Intravenous Fluids and

Medication

IV Cannula and Butterfly Syringe

IV Administration Set

Continuous IV or Drip Infusion – IV fluids or medications such as aminophylline and heparin are added to IV fluid container and hung at the patient’s bedside and allow to drip slowly into a vein by gravity flow or through the use of electrical battery-operated volumetric infusion pumps. This is slow, primary line infusion of an IV preparation to maintain a therapeutic drug level or provide fluid and electrolyte replacement.

Intermittent IV Infusion – This allows drug administered at specific intervals. Three different techniques may be used:

Heparin lock or heparin well system – Heparin lock is a device consisting of an IV needle attached to a short plastic tube which terminates in a rubber seal through which medication is injected or infused at designated times.

IV Piggyback IV Piggyback – Medication is

added to a small volume container and connected as a secondary infusion to a primary IV line.

Additive Set Infusion – Use of volume control device designed to administer small amounts of fluids over a specified time period. Usually 30 to 60 minutes, by attaching its fluid chamber to an independent fluid supply or placed directly under the established primary IV line.