What type of administration involves intermittent small-volume administration or IV piggyback (IVPB)?

The type of administration that involves intermittent small-volume administration or IV piggyback (IVPB) is intravenous medication delivery. This method allows for the administration of medications directly into the bloodstream through an intravenous line. It is particularly useful for medications that need to be delivered quickly, for maintaining therapeutic drug levels, or when patients cannot take medications orally.

IVPB specifically refers to a setup where a small volume of medication is delivered into an existing intravenous line, allowing for the simultaneous administration of different therapies without needing multiple access points. This method is efficient as it often involves a secondary infusion connected to the primary IV line, maximizing the speed and effectiveness of medication administration while minimizing patient discomfort.

In contrast, intramuscular injections deliver medication deep into muscle tissue, topical applications deliver medications directly onto the skin or mucous membranes, and subcutaneous injections involve the administration of drugs into the fatty tissue just beneath the skin. Each of these methods has its specific uses and is chosen based on factors such as the medication type, required onset of action, and patient condition.