There are three main categories of IVs: PIVCs, midline catheter s, or CVCs. Midline catheters are longer than PIVCs and are used for patients with fragile veins or who require IV therapies for multiple days or weeks.

When using the IV route, the nurse must monitor the patient for potential complications such as infection, damage to the vein and surrounding tissue, air emboli, blood clots, and fluid overload . With 100 percent of the solution being administered into the vein, therapies infused via the IV route have a quick onset, and providers have better control over dosage.

midline catheter — used for long-term IV therapy; catheter is longer than a PIVC but does not extend to the vena cava. fluid overload — occurs when there is increased fluid retained in the intravascular compartment. IV route — an effective way to administer antibiotics, pain medications, emergency medications, chemotherapy, and immunoglobulins (IVIG). PIVCs — the most common type of IV, and nurses routinely place them for short-term IV therapies.