Basic Intravenous Calculations

Practice flashcards for key vocabulary related to intravenous calculations.

Bolus

Fluids or concentrated medication solution given by IV route over a relatively brief period of time.

Continuous IV Infusion

IV solution that flows continuously as the name implies (e.g., dextrose 5% in water at 75 mL per hr).

Drop Factor

Number of drops per milliliter (mL) delivered through various sizes of IV tubing.

Electronic Infusion Pump

Electronic positive pressure pump that delivers fluid and/or medication at a preselected rate.

Flow Rate

Rate at which fluid is delivered by IV infusion devices, in milliliters per hour (mL/hr).

Administration Set

IV tubing; it may be used by gravity or with an electronic infusion pump.

Primary Infusion Line

Main IV line connected to the patient, usually dedicated to fluid delivery and maintenance.

Secondary Infusion Line

Tubing that connects to ports on the primary line for adding medication or fluid.

Intermittent Infusions

Small-volume infusions (up to 250 mL) of IV solutions with medication added delivered at intervals.

IV Piggyback (IVPB)

Small-volume infusions, usually 50 to 250 mL, infused through a short secondary tubing line.

IV Push

IV medication intermittent bolus dose of 1 to 50 mL, usually administered by manual direct injection.

KVO, TKO

Keep vein open or to keep open; a flow rate order to keep the IV line patent.

Macrodrip

Gravity IV infusion tubing set that has a wide diameter to deliver large drops (most common is 10 drops per mL).

Microdrip

Gravity IV infusion tubing set with a narrow diameter to deliver small drops, usually 60 drops per mL.

Osmolarity, Tonicity

Solute concentration in solution.

Parenteral Fluids

Fluids administered outside of the digestive tract (e.g., IM, IV, subcutaneous).

Patency

State of being open and unblocked, e.g., a patent IV site.

PCA Pump

Patient-controlled analgesia pump that dispenses analgesic narcotics at prescribed intervals.

Saline Lock

Resealable access device for adding additional IV lines or medications without initiating another site.

Volume-Control Burette Device

Transparent, calibrated small-volume container, with a capacity of 100 to 150 mL.

Infusion Pumps

Used for IV infusions, reducing errors and featuring programmable flow rates and alarms.

Gravity Infusions

IV infusions used less frequently; flow depends on multiple factors including positioning and patency.

Blood Administration

Protocols for administering blood, requiring the establishment of a primary line with NS.