pump
Meaning of pump: A pump is a device that delivers a controlled amount of fluid at a set rate, used for drugs, nutrients, or other body fluids.
Definition of pump
A pump, in a medical context, is a device that delivers a controlled amount of liquid at a specific, adjustable rate rather than relying on gravity or manual administration alone. Pumps are used to give a wide range of substances, including intravenous fluids, nutrients, and medications such as chemotherapy, insulin, or pain medicine.
Some pumps are external, connected to the body temporarily through a catheter or needle, such as a standard intravenous infusion pump used in a hospital or a wearable insulin pump used to manage diabetes. Others are surgically implanted beneath the skin for longer term use, such as a pump that delivers pain medication directly into the fluid surrounding the spinal cord.
A patient controlled analgesia pump is a specific type that allows a person to safely administer a limited, preset dose of pain medication when needed, within safety limits set in advance, rather than waiting for a dose from staff.
Used in a sentence
An infusion pump was used to deliver the chemotherapy at the prescribed rate.
Good to know
A pump's setting alone does not indicate what substance it delivers, so the specific type of pump, such as an insulin pump, an infusion pump, or an implanted pain pump, determines its intended use.