What it means
The most common way into a vein. A nurse inserts a short plastic catheter over a needle, removes the needle and leaves the soft tube in the vein, held in place by a clear dressing. It is used for IV fluids, medications and blood. Catheters come in sizes called gauges: the smaller the number, the wider the tube.
For the nurse
Check the site often for pain, redness, swelling, coolness or leaking, which can mean infiltration or phlebitis. Flush to check patency as policy directs, and label the dressing with the date.
In a chart
"20-gauge peripheral IV in the left forearm, flushes easily, site clean and dry."
At a glance
| Spanish | vía intravenosa periférica |
|---|---|
| Also written | peripheral IV catheter, peripheral IV line, peripheral intravenous catheter, peripheral venous catheter, peripheral venous catheters, PIV, PIVC |
Related terms
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.
infusion
The slow delivery of a fluid or drug into the body, usually into a vein, over a period of time.
flush
To push a small amount of fluid, usually saline, through an IV line or tube to clear it; as a noun, also a sudden reddening of the skin.