Intravenous, << `ihn` truh VEE nuhs, >> injection is given into the blood inside a vein. Doctors use intravenous injections to put needed substances into the bloodstream of patients. The substances, in liquid form, are fed through a hypodermic needle placed inside a vein close to the skin.
When doctors give whole blood, blood plasma, or blood cells by this method, they call it a transfusion. Patients who cannot eat or drink sometimes can be kept alive by intravenous feeding of solutions containing sugar, vitamins, and minerals. Many lifesaving medicines are given to patients intravenously.
