What is the primary purpose of intravenous (IV) therapy?

The primary purpose of intravenous (IV) therapy is to deliver medications and fluids directly into the bloodstream. This method allows for rapid onset and immediate effects of therapeutic agents or fluids, making it essential in situations where patients require urgent medication, hydration, or blood products. The direct access to the vascular system bypasses the gastrointestinal tract and first-pass metabolism, which can delay or diminish the efficacy of medications administered via other routes.

While providing nutrition through enteral feeding and promoting drug absorption through skin patches are important methods of therapy, they do not fulfill the specific functions of IV therapy, which is focused on intravenous delivery. Also, administering high doses of medications orally is not aligned with the purpose of IV therapy, where medications are instead provided in a manner that ensures optimal absorption and effectiveness through the bloodstream.