HOSA Pharmacology Assessment Practice Test

Intravenous refers to the administration of substances directly into a person's vein. This method is commonly used in medical settings to deliver medications, fluids, or nutrients quickly and efficiently into the bloodstream. Since veins are part of the circulatory system, injecting substances intravenously allows for immediate distribution throughout the body, enabling rapid therapeutic effects.

This definition distinguishes intravenous administration from other routes, such as intramuscular (into the muscle) or intra-articular (into a joint), which are different methods with specific uses and effects. Injecting into the heart is a highly specialized procedure used in emergencies and is not what is typically meant by the term intravenous. Therefore, "injected into the vein" accurately captures the essence of what intravenous means in the context of medical practice.