What Does KVO Mean in Medical Terms?

KVO stands for keep vein open. Slow drip rate to keep an intravenous line open.

Where you will see KVO

You will most often see KVO in nursing notes, care plans and handovers, medication orders and prescriptions.

Example

A medication order might be written with “KVO” as shorthand for keep vein open.

Related abbreviations

• 1:1 — one-to-one observation
• 2g Na diet — two-gram sodium diet
• 3% saline — three percent saline (hypertonic)
• 4-point restraints — four-point restraints
• 5-FU — fluorouracil
• 6-MP — mercaptopurine
• 6-TG — thioguanine
• 7+3 — seven plus three induction

Browse the full Medical Abbreviations guide — 5,715 entries, searchable A–Z and by specialty.