Intravenous Drip [IV]

A method of providing medications, fluids or nutrition into a vein. The fluid usually flows from a polythene bag or bottle and can be seen to ‘drip’ into a small container (chamber), which is connected by a tube to a cannula in the vein. Most children will have a ‘drip’ following an anaesthetic or after heart surgery. In small babies and in children who need continuous medications by ‘drip’, the medications may be given by a motorised syringe pump, which controls the rate of administration very precisely.