IV Therapy is an easy and effective way to hydrate, restore electrolyte balance, boost the immune system and deliver essential nutrients. It is a treatment used by many different health and wellness practitioners, including doctors, nurses, chiropractors and nutritionists. Taking vitamins orally might be better for some, but for others who have trouble absorbing nutrients or suffer from intestinal diseases, IV Therapy is a great alternative.
A person receiving an IV therapy will first meet with the practitioner, who may run a few blood tests to determine the appropriate dosage of vitamins and nutrients needed. Once the client has had a consult with the practitioner, they will enter our bright, inviting IV room and sit down in one of our comfy chairs. Our nurse will disinfect the skin over the injection site, usually on the arm, locate a vein and then insert an IV catheter. Once the IV is in place, the nurse will add primary fluids and then administer any necessary medications or treatments.
Primary fluids can include solutions such as 0.9% normal saline, lactated ringers solution or dextrose 5%. They may also contain replacement electrolytes to prevent deficiencies. IV bags may also be pre-mixed with an anticoagulant to reduce the risk of clots in the vein.
The nutrient drips often consist of a mixture of sterile saline water plus various vitamins and minerals, such as magnesium, zinc, calcium and vitamin C, to improve immune function. Depending on the purpose of the IV, additional ingredients can be added, such as the antioxidant glutathione to boost the immune system and support detoxification or an anti-nausea drug to treat nausea.
Medications that can be given through an IV are pain relievers, antibiotics, antacids and antidepressants. If the reason for the IV is to treat a disease, antiviral medications may also be administered.
As the patient receives IV therapy, the nurse should monitor for signs of fluid volume overload, such as elevated blood pressure and heart rate or increased oxygen saturation or peripheral edema. The nurse should also regularly check for infection at the IV site, ensuring proper aseptic technique is used during venipuncture.
As with any medical procedure, complications can occur, but most of them are minor and easily treated. More serious complications of IV therapy can include a hole in the vein, which may lead to a blood clot, or a bubble of air that gets into the vein and travels to the lungs, causing a life-threatening air embolism. Other complications of IV therapy are rare, but can include fever, rash, itching or swelling at the injection site. To decrease the risk of these complications, a sterile dressing should be placed over the injection site and the catheter should be cleaned frequently using aseptic technique. All contaminated materials, such as the IV bag, tubing and needles should be disposed of in a sharps container. It is important to educate patients to report any discomfort or tenderness at the injection site so it can be promptly checked and assessed.