What is the primary purpose of using a pump for IV infusions?

The primary purpose of using a pump for IV infusions is to control the rate of infusion accurately. Infusion pumps are designed to ensure that the medication or fluid is delivered at a precise rate, which is critical for achieving the desired therapeutic effect and preventing complications. Accurate flow rates help maintain consistent drug levels in the bloodstream, which is essential for the effectiveness of many IV medications.

While larger IV bags may be used with pumps, this is not the main purpose of the pump itself. Reducing the cost of IV therapy is not directly related to the functionality of infusion pumps, which tend to introduce additional costs due to their equipment and maintenance requirements. Lastly, while pumps can help reduce medication errors through features like programming and alarms, their primary function revolves around the accuracy of infusion rates rather than limiting errors alone.