What is a common reason for initiating IV therapy?

Initiating IV therapy is commonly done for the purpose of dehydration or fluid replacement due to its effective and rapid delivery of fluids directly into the bloodstream. When a patient is dehydrated, the body lacks adequate hydration, which can lead to serious complications. IV therapy allows healthcare professionals to administer not only fluids but also electrolytes and medications in a controlled and quick manner, ensuring that the patient can recover faster and maintain adequate hydration levels.

While pain management and addressing medication side effects are critical areas in patient care, they often do not specifically require the use of IV therapy as the primary intervention. Routine check-ups would typically involve no immediate need for IV therapy unless a specific medical condition necessitates it. Therefore, fluid replacement and addressing dehydration are the most compelling and frequent reasons for initiating IV therapy, highlighting the importance of maintaining fluid balance for overall health.