page_title: Intravenous therapy
section_title: Methods and equipment
hierarchical_section_title: Intravenous therapy / Methods and equipment
caption_attribution_description: English: Infusion pump MCM 500 Infusionspumpe
context_page_description: Intravenous therapy (IV) is therapy that delivers fluids directly into a vein. The intravenous route of administration can be used both for injections, using a syringe at higher pressures; as well as for infusions, typically using only the pressure supplied by gravity. Intravenous infusions are commonly referred to as drips.
  The intravenous route is the fastest way to deliver medications and fluid replacement throughout the body, because they are introduced directly into the circulation. Intravenous therapy may be used for fluid volume replacement, to correct electrolyte imbalances, to deliver medications, and for blood transfusions.
caption: An infusion pump suitable for a single IV line
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