IV Bolus vs. IV Push

Table of Contents

1. What Is an IV Bolus?
2. What Is an IV Push?
3. What Is the Difference Between IV Bolus vs. IV Push?
4. Which One Do You Need?
5. FAQs

Most people have heard of IV therapy, having either received it themselves or visited loved ones receiving IV treatment at a clinic or hospital. You most likely know the basics of the IV process, including how an IV treatment can replenish lost fluids and vitamins in your body, which help you improve your health. 

You know that — thanks to providers like Mobile IV Nurses — you can get IV therapy in your own home, delivered straight to you in a quick and affordable treatment session. You may even know which vitamins and minerals best support your health goals.

But did you know that there are multiple types of IV treatments?

While the most common form of IV (the kind you’d receive in a hospital setting) is called an IV drip, there are other kinds of IV therapy that medical professionals use to enhance your health. These include the IV bolus and IV push. You might be wondering: what does IV push mean? In this article, we’ll discuss these IVs, how they work, and when you might need an IV bolus vs IV push.

IV boluses are useful in situations where a patient needs support quickly. For example, patients with type-1 diabetes might get an IV bolus if they need insulin right away. An IV bolus is also useful when you want quick relief from symptoms related to hangovers, food poisoning, the flu, or similar conditions.

What Is an IV Push?

An IV bolus can help you flood your cells with fluids and vitamins in a matter of minutes — but what if that’s not fast enough? In some situations, a patient may need an IV push. 

An IV push is an ultra-fast form of IV therapy. With this treatment, the medical team doesn’t even use an IV bag; instead, they use a syringe to literally push IV fluids through a catheter and into the bloodstream. This gives your body fluids, vitamins, or medications in as little as 30 seconds!

A patient might need an IV push when they are suffering a severe medical episode, like a heart attack or anaphylaxis. In these situations, the patient needs medication as quickly as possible, so their nurses or physicians will recommend an IV push to guarantee their body absorbs the medication right away.

What Is the Difference Between IV Bolus vs. IV Push?

The biggest difference between an IV bolus vs IV push is time. Both kinds of treatment give your body the stuff it needs to support your health, whether that “stuff” is insulin, epinephrine, or vitamin B12. However, an IV bolus will empty your IV bag in a few minutes, while an IV push empties the contents of the syringe in seconds.

Which One Do You Need?

Each type of IV has its own purpose. IV drips are typically reserved for hospital stays, and IV pushes are used in difficult situations where time is of the essence. 

Of course, time is ALSO of the essence when you’re struggling with a hangover, flu, migraine, or other uncomfortable condition. In those cases, you need relief as quickly as possible — which is why providers like Mobile IV Nurses will help you out with an IV bolus of certain items if appropriate. 

An IV bolus acts as an ideal in-between IV treatment, offering you quick relief without intrusively pushing a saline solution into your system. Because of this, the IV bolus is the perfect IV therapy option.

When you book online with Mobile IV Nurses, we will send a team of registered nurses to your home and administer your own IV bolus packed with the vitamins and minerals you need to feel your best. Our IV treatments typically take 45-60 minutes, so you can recover without spending all day stuck with an IV drip. 

Our IVs contain medical-grade ingredients that can help you shake off symptoms related to hangovers, morning sickness, migraines, and even mood disorders like anxiety. We can even help you bounce back from a strenuous workout, support your health during weight loss, and help you take your overall wellness to the next level — all thanks to the power of a vitamin IV bolus.

FAQs

What is the purpose of a bolus?

The bolus is a type of IV therapy administration. It means, essentially, that you’re getting a single dose of any vitamin or medication administered over a short time. A bolus can be technically administered orally as well, but it typically refers to an IV treatment.

A bolus is different from an IV drip in that it uses an open line instead of a closed line. This allows the IV cocktail to enter the body more quickly. When comparing the use of an IV bolus vs IV push, though, an IV push is even faster.

When do you give fluid bolus?

You typically give a fluid bolus when you want to get the IV cocktail more quickly in the body. An IV bolus can be administered in about 20-35 minutes, which means that the patient can experience relief more quickly than they would with an IV drip. Because of this. An IV bolus is often given in circumstances where the patient would benefit from this faster timeline.

Why is it called bolus?

In medical terminology, a bolus refers to the administration of compounds, drugs, and medication in less than 30 minutes. A bolus can refer to injection, inhalation, or intravenous administration of the treatment. As a result, an IV bolus is a quicker form of IV treatment that allows the body to experience rapid relief from the vitamins, minerals, and medications included in the saline solution.

What is another name for bolus?

Since bolus is a specific medical term, it doesn’t really have a direct synonym. It could also be referred to as a quick dose or administration of a certain drug, compound, or medication. In the case of an IV bolus, the terms IV treatment and IV therapy are often used as blanket descriptions which include the use of an IV bolus. An IV bolus is a quicker form of IV therapy that allows the saline solution and included ingredients to enter the body more quickly.