Intravenous Fluid Regulation: Purpose, Procedure, And More

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HealthlineSubscribeEverything You Need to Know About Intravenous Regulation

Medically reviewed by Megan Soliman, MD — Written by Mary Ellen Ellis and Alex Marceau — Updated on September 27, 2024

Purpose
Types
Procedure
Complications
Takeaway

Intravenous regulation refers to managing the solution, dosage, duration, and flow rate of fluid you receive intravenously into your bloodstream.

Intravenous (IV) fluid infusions are a way of administering fluids or medications directly into the bloodstream.

The fluid is given from a bag connected to an IV line. This is a thin tube that’s inserted into one of your veins, usually in one of your hands or arms.

Intravenous regulation, also called fluid management, refers to managing the amount of fluid given intravenously.

Without control, the rate of fluid administration relies on gravity alone. This may lead to receiving either too much or too little fluid, which could cause serious complications.

Keep reading to learn more about the different types of intravenous regulation and what you can expect during the procedure.

Why are fluids administered intravenously?

Intravenous fluid infusions are typically required when you’re unable to manage your hydration needs.

Fluids can be administered intravenously for three different reasons:

Resuscitation: These fluids replenish depletions in intravascular fluids, such as blood plasma.
Replacement: These fluids replace any deficiencies when oral fluids or medications aren’t enough.
Maintenance: These fluids hydrate and provide electrolytes in people who are hemodynamically stable but cannot drink fluids.

What is the purpose of intravenous fluid regulation?

The main purpose of intravenous regulation is to help prevent dehydration, nutritional deficiencies, or the overconsumption of fluids and medications.

Each person will require different intravenous fluid solutions based on why you need them. For instance, you may require intravenous fluids to:

rehydrate after experiencing dehydration from severe illness, surgery, or excessive activity
treat an infection using antibiotics
treat certain conditions, such as chemotherapy drugs for cancer
manage pain using pain relievers

Fluids for such treatments consist of water with electrolytes, sugar, or medications added in concentrations that depend on your need. As such, the solution, quantity, and frequency of administration will vary for each person.

Fluid regulation ensures the correct amount of fluid drips from a bag down the IV tube into your vein at the correct rate.

Complications may result from receiving too much too quickly, or not enough too slowly.

Learn more about intravenous medication administration.

What are the “four Ds” of intravenous regulation?

Healthcare professionals sometimes use the “four Ds” analogy to help manage fluid regulation:

Drug: The type of medication(s) used in the solution.
Dose: The amount of medication(s) used, as well as the timing and frequency of administration.
Duration: The length of time fluids are administered will depend on several factors, but duration is key to ensuring that enough fluids are administered.
De-escalation: During this phase, a nurse reduces or stops the amount of fluid being administered to prevent complications.

What factors can influence intravenous regulation?

Fluid management may depend on several individual factors, such as:

body weight
age
liver, kidney, and cardiac function
fluid balance

What are the types of intravenous fluid regulation?

There are two ways to regulate the amount and rate of fluids given during intravenous therapy: manually and using an electric pump.

Both methods require a nurse to check your IV regularly to be sure you’re getting the correct amount of fluid.

Manual regulation

The rate of fluid dripping from a bag into an IV tube can be regulated through a manual technique.

A nurse will use a clamp to increase or decrease the pressure on an IV tube to slow or speed the rate of flow. They can count the number of drops per minute to make sure the rate of flow is correct, and adjust it as needed.

Electric pump

The rate of flow in your IV tube can also be modulated with an electric pump, known as an infusion pump.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), infusion pumps are more effective at regulating fluids than manual regulation because they can administer:

smaller volumes of fluids
at automated intervals or steady rates

There are several types of infusion pumps. They’re commonly used in clinical settings, but they can also be used at home.

What can you expect during IV fluid regulation?

A doctor must first determine the type of fluid you need for treatment, as well as the amount and rate at which it will be delivered.
A nurse will then disinfect the skin over the injection site, which is often on your hand or arm but may be elsewhere on your body.
The nurse will locate a vein at the site and insert an IV catheter into it. It may sting a little when it goes in, but after that, there should be little or no pain.
The nurse will then adjust the IV manually or with an infusion pump to set it to the correct rate of flow. Someone will check back regularly to make sure you’re doing well and that the IV is delivering the fluid correctly.

If there are any problems with the flow, it will be adjusted.

Are there complications with intravenous fluid regulation?

Complications related to intravenous regulation may include giving too much fluid too rapidly, causing fluid overload (hypervolemia). Alternatively, not enough fluid may be given, or it may be released too slowly.

Hypervolemia may cause symptoms like headache, fever, and anxiety.

Depending on your health condition, some overload may be tolerated. However, overload or underload may lead to several health complications, such as:

electrolyte imbalances, including high sodium (hypernatremia), low sodium (hyponatremia), or high potassium (hyperkalemia)
abnormal heart rate (tachycardia)
low blood pressure (hypotension)
high blood pressure (hypertension)
swelling of the hands or feet (peripheral edema)
fluid in the lung (pulmonary edema)
compartment syndrome
metabolic acidosis
hypovolemic shock

Receiving fluids intravenously carries a few minor risks that can easily be treated, including infection at the injection site, a dislodged IV catheter, and a collapsed vein.

The administration of intravenous fluids is common and safe.

However, speak with a healthcare professional if you notice the flow rate has changed or if you experience any symptoms, such as headache, fever, and difficulty breathing.

The bottom line

Intravenous fluid regulation refers to managing the solution, dosage, duration, and flow rate of fluid administered into your bloodstream.

It can be done manually or with an infusion pump. Although fluid management is most commonly done in a clinical setting, it can also be done at home.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Castera MR, et al. (2023). Fluid management. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532305/
Infusion pumps. (2018). https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/general-hospital-devices-and-supplies/infusion-pumps
Intravenous (IV) infusions. (2020). https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/conditions-and-treatments/procedures-and-treatments/intravenous-iv-infusions/
IV drug administration: Resource booklet. (2021). https://www.gloshospitals.nhs.uk/media/documents/IV_Drug_Administration_Resource_Booklet_VYD9bWc.pdf
Malbrain MLNG, et al. (2020). Intravenous fluid therapy in the perioperative and critical care setting: Executive summary of the International Fluid Academy (IFA).https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7245999/

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Medically reviewed by Megan Soliman, MD — Written by Mary Ellen Ellis and Alex Marceau — Updated on September 27, 2024

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