What does "IVPB" stand for within nursing practice?

"IVPB" stands for "Intravenous piggyback," which refers to a method of administering medication through an intravenous (IV) line. In this method, a secondary IV infusion is connected to the primary IV line to deliver the medication. The "piggyback" term indicates that the secondary infusion is hung at a higher level than the primary IV solution, allowing it to flow into the patient when the primary infusion is temporarily stopped or at a controlled rate.

This practice is crucial in nursing as it allows for the simultaneous administration of medications while maintaining the primary IV fluids, which may be necessary for hydration or other therapeutic purposes. The ability to efficiently manage multiple infusions through an IV system is important in ensuring that patients receive the necessary treatments without prolonging their access to IV therapy.