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Nursing vocabulary · IV Therapy and Fluids

IV

Meaning in nursing, with examples

/ˌaɪ ˈviː/abbreviationCore term

In nursing, IV means: Short for intravenous: into a vein. As a noun it also means the line or drip that puts fluid or medicine straight into a vein.

In Turkish: intravenöz, damar içi, damar yolu

How it is used

Used as an adjective (IV antibiotics, IV fluids, IV access) and, especially in the US, as a noun: 'start an IV', 'the IV has stopped running'. UK nurses more often say 'cannula' for the device and 'drip' for the fluid. Medicines can be given as an IV bolus (quickly) or an IV infusion (slowly).

Example sentences

  1. He's on IV antibiotics three times a day.

  2. Her IV isn't running; can you check whether the line is kinked?

Common collocations

  • IV fluids
  • IV antibiotics
  • IV access
  • start an IV
  • IV line
  • cannulaA thin plastic tube put into a vein, usually in the hand or arm, so that fluids, medicines or blood can be given through it.
  • dripAn everyday word for a bag of fluid or medicine that flows slowly into a patient's vein through a tube, or for the whole set-up.
  • infusion pumpA machine that pushes fluid or medicine into a patient's vein at an exact, set rate and sounds an alarm if the line is blocked or the bag is empty.
  • flushTo push a small amount of fluid, usually saline, through a cannula or line to check that it works, keep it open or clear medicine from it.
  • infiltrationThe leaking of IV fluid or medicine out of the vein into the tissue around the cannula, causing swelling, coolness and discomfort.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: IV Therapy and Fluids

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.