What is the purpose of a syringe pump in IV therapy?

A syringe pump is specifically designed to administer medications in a controlled manner during intravenous therapy. It allows for the precise delivery of small volumes of medication at a set rate, which is critical when accurate dosing and timing are essential for patient safety and effective treatment. This device can be particularly beneficial for patients requiring continuous infusion of medication or those that demand careful titration, maintaining steady plasma drug levels.

While intravenous fluids can be delivered continuously and secondary medications can indeed be administered using IV setups, these processes are often managed by different types of infusion devices or systems not specifically characterized as syringe pumps. Additionally, monitoring vital signs is not a function of a syringe pump; it requires separate equipment to ensure patient safety during the administration of IV therapy. Thus, the primary and defining purpose of a syringe pump is to facilitate the accurate administration of medications.