Specialty Hub
IV Therapy
Peripheral IV insertion, vascular access devices, IV solutions, medication administration rights, infiltration vs extravasation, and IV complication recognition — for nursing students, new graduate nurses, and NCLEX preparation.
Guides
In-depth guides for IV therapy and medication administration practice.
IV Therapy Fundamentals for Nurses
11 minIV therapy fundamentals for nurses — indications, isotonic vs hypotonic vs hypertonic fluids, fluid compartments, maintenance vs replacement therapy, nursing monitoring responsibilities, and documentation.
Peripheral IV Insertion Basics
10 minPeripheral IV insertion basics for nurses — site selection, catheter gauge selection, insertion steps, securement, infection prevention, and troubleshooting for safe IV access.
IV Infiltration vs Extravasation
9 minIV infiltration vs extravasation for nurses — definitions, differences, risk factors, assessment findings, immediate nursing interventions, antidotes for vesicant medications, and prevention strategies.
Safe Medication Administration
11 minSafe medication administration for nurses — the rights of medication administration, verification process, high-alert medication safety, documentation requirements, error prevention strategies, and patient education.
Interactive Practice
Practice Tools
Run drip rates, pump rates, and weight-based infusions — with formulas shown.
Clinical References
Quick-access IV therapy references for bedside and NCLEX use.
IV Drip Rates Reference
IV flow-rate formulas, drop factor table, common maintenance fluid rates, and standard infusion ranges for high-alert IV medications including insulin, heparin, and vasoactive drugs.
IV Solution Types Reference
IV solution types for nurses — isotonic, hypotonic, and hypertonic fluids compared by osmolarity, mechanism of action, clinical uses, nursing considerations, and critical safety rules.
Vascular Access Devices Reference
Vascular access devices for nurses — peripheral IV, midline catheter, PICC, central venous catheter (CVC), and implanted port compared by insertion site, dwell time, indications, flushing, dressing, and nursing care.
IV Therapy Complications Reference
IV therapy complications for nurses — infiltration, extravasation, phlebitis, CLABSI, catheter occlusion, air embolism, and fluid overload: causes, signs and symptoms, nursing interventions, grading, and prevention.
Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) Reference
TPN safety at a glance — central line requirement, dedicated lumen, 24-hour bag and tubing changes, glucose monitoring, the D10W rule for interruptions, and the complications table.
Quick Charts
IV therapy comparison charts and clinical reference tables.
Common IV Fluids Chart
Isotonic, hypotonic, and hypertonic IV fluid comparison — osmolarity, composition, clinical indications, and nursing considerations for each fluid type.
Vascular Access Device Comparison
Vascular access device comparison chart for nurses — peripheral IV, midline, PICC, CVC, and implanted port compared by insertion site, tip location, duration, advantages, limitations, and typical use.
IV Solution Comparison
IV solution comparison chart for nurses — Normal Saline, Lactated Ringer's, D5W, Half Normal Saline, D5½NS, 3% NaCl, and D10W compared by classification, osmolarity, mechanism, uses, and key nursing considerations.
IV Complication Recognition
IV complication recognition chart for nurses — infiltration, extravasation, phlebitis, CLABSI, catheter occlusion, air embolism, and fluid overload: signs and symptoms, nursing interventions, and prevention at a glance.
Medication Administration Rights
Medication administration rights chart for nurses — the eight rights: right patient, right medication, right dose, right route, right time, right documentation, right reason, and right response with nursing actions and NCLEX pearls.
Suggested Learning Path
Build IV therapy competency with this recommended sequence.
Related Specialties
IV therapy knowledge connects directly to these specialty areas.