An intravenous drip.
Intravenous injections are those that are administered directly into a peripheral or central vein of the circulatory system. Possible intravenous (IV) injection sites in adults include those areas where the veins are close to the skin and are large enough to withstand the pressure and infusion volume of an intravenous injection. Usually visible and even palpable to a trained healthcare professional, these peripheral intravenous injection sites are primarily in the upper extremities or arms. IV injection sites can be located in the legs, but lower extremity IV injection sites are difficult to reach and more painful to use. Central intravenous injection sites are often difficult to reach with a standard IV cannula or hypodermic needle and often require placement of an indwelling central catheter, such as a PICC line or subclavian line, before it can be administered. an IV medication.
A person with an IV in his hand.
As noted above, the most common intravenous injection sites are the upper extremities and involve the dorsum of the hands, the front and back of the forearm, and the antecubital fossa or elbow. The leg veins are difficult to locate due to the musculature of the lower extremities. Also, complications from IV administrations in the legs can lead to more serious side effects, such as blood clots and venous insufficiency secondary to valve damage. The femoral veins are not recommended as a standard intravenous injection site due to the deep location of the blood vessel and the proximity of the femoral artery and femoral nerve. Foot veins are often small and painful to use for IV injection sites.
An IV cannula for use with a peripheral IV line.
Giving an intravenous injection is a completely different procedure from giving an intramuscular (IM) injection. These injections are given deep into the body of a muscle, such as the deltoid or gluteal muscle. After the syringe is inserted, the plunger is pulled back to determine if a vein has been punctured before the medication is injected to ensure that the medication is administered intramuscularly rather than intravenously. Intravenous administration results in a much faster drug action time than intramuscular administration. While some medications can be given intravenously or intramuscularly, some are restricted to one route or dangerous side effects can occur.
Intravenous injection sites may include the antecubital fossa or the elbow.
Finally, potential intravenous injection sites depend on whether the purpose of the injection is medicinal or related to recreational drug use or addiction. People looking for intravenous injection sites for recreational drug use often use sites that would never be considered in a medical situation. Common areas used for recreational IV injections can include the upper arms and legs, for example.
