Word parts
What it means
Fluid given steadily rather than all at once. An IV infusion may be continuous (running all the time, as with maintenance fluids) or intermittent (a small bag over 30 to 60 minutes, as with many antibiotics). Infusions are usually controlled by a pump set to a rate in mL per hour. A dose given quickly all at once is a bolusBOH-lusA single amount of a drug or fluid given all at once or over a short time.Full entry instead.
For the nurse
Check the right drug, rate and line at each start and each handoff, and check the site for swelling, redness, coolness or pain, which can mean the fluid is going into the tissue.
In a chart
"Normal saline infusing at 100 mL/hr via right forearm IV; site without redness or swelling."
At a glance
| Spanish | infusión |
|---|---|
| Also written | infusions, infuse, infused, infusing |
Related terms
total parenteral nutrition
Complete nutrition given as a liquid straight into a vein instead of through the digestive tract.
IV
Intravenous: into a vein, or the tube placed in a vein to give fluids and drugs.
catheter
A thin, flexible tube put into the body to drain fluid out or to put fluid or drugs in.
bolus
A single amount of a drug or fluid given all at once or over a short time.