Pathophysiology
Clinical meaning
Intravenous (IV) therapy involves the administration of fluids, medications, blood products, and nutritional solutions directly into the venous circulation, providing the most rapid and predictable route for systemic delivery. The practical nurse must understand the anatomy of the peripheral venous system, the principles of catheter selection, site assessment, infusion monitoring, and complication recognition to provide safe IV therapy. Peripheral IV access utilizes superficial veins of the upper extremities, with the hand, forearm, and antecubital fossa being the most common insertion sites. The cephalic vein runs along the lateral (radial) aspect of the forearm and is the preferred first-choice vein due to its large size, accessibility, and lower risk of nerve injury. The basilic vein runs along the medial (ulnar) aspect of the forearm and is an alternative, though it is closer to the brachial artery and median nerve, increasing the risk of inadvertent arterial puncture or nerve damage. The median cubital vein in the antecubital fossa is large and easily palpated, making it ideal for blood draws and short-term infusions, but it limits arm mobility and is prone to dislodgement...