A catheter and a saline-based electrolyte solution containing your chosen vitamins and minerals are used in an IV fluid drip. An IV drip introduces these vital nutrients and fluids directly into your circulation, bypassing your digestive process. This allows your body to quickly access what it needs while preventing gastrointestinal upset. An intravenous (IV) drip consists of a tube that goes into a large vein in your arm or hand. The other end is attached to a bottle that contains the liquid medicine you will receive through this route. You may receive several doses a day via this method. Nurses commonly use IVs to give you drugs when other routes of administration are not appropriate. For example, if you cannot take pills orally, then they may be given via an IV. Intravenous therapy is also used to deliver nutrition and fluids to patients who cannot ingest any form of food or drink. The most common use of IVs today is to give chemotherapy patients' their medications. Other uses include delivering immunizations, blood products, and insulin. Nurses are also responsible for monitoring and maintaining IVs. They check them frequently for leakage or obstruction and replace clogged tubing as needed. Intravenous drips were first developed by a nurse named Lois Lee.