MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Intravenous

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Intravenous

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Alternative Names	Definition

Alternative Names

I.V.

Definition Return to top

Intravenous means "within a vein." It usually refers to giving medications or fluids (solutions) through a needle or tube inserted into a vein, which allows immediate access to the blood supply.

Update Date: 5/17/2007

Updated by: Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, M.D., M.P.H., Assistant Professor of Medicine, Pediatrics and Psychiatry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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