Section I. INFUSIONS

3-1. INTRODUCTION

Ideally, a person gets the fluids and electrolytes needed to live by the oral route. This route has certain built-in safeguards against bacterial invasion. When the intravenous route of administration must be used, the material being given is injected directly into the circulatory system through the veins. Although, this route is certainly effective in terms of getting the fluid into the patient, the intravenous route is not completely safe. Complications (that is, infection) can happen. In the case of infection, the fluid being administered, the intravenous administration set (the equipment between the bottle or the bag and the patient), and the techniques used to start the fluid administration are possibilities for bacterial contamination. The intravenous administration of fluids is to be taken seriously.