Hi, Diana,   I am so sorry that your mom is going through this and do know how difficult it is as a loving daughter to watch. We didn't have to use an IV on my mom; she ended up catching a type of pneumonia which, due to her weakened lungs due to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, proved to be fatal. Therefore, I don't have any experience.   However, if I were in your shoes, I'd talk to your mom's doctor or the nursing home staff to better understand her status. Also, is Hospice involved? If so, Hospice workers could provide this information as well.   I also wrote a sharepost about our family's decision on the feeding tube when Mom started experiencing swallowing issues. It might be of help to you.   Take care and keep us posted!   Dorian