IVs

Why exactly it works I can't say. Not that it's a secret, I just don't know, maybe some kind of histamine release or some such thing. Just hang pt hand /arm in dependent position and pump fist. Give the usual pat pat pat and then let tourniquet down for 15sec and repeat above. The preop nurses are supposed to start iv's when they can but look to me specifically if they are having trouble. I make a point of having an iv in all my pts before they go into O.R. so they don't have to lay wide awake in a cold O.R. waiting to be jabbed. I promise them they will be nice and mellow almost as soon as their head hits the pillow. That's what I'd want. Ed

Sometimes IVs just need your best juju-medicine man dance and howl at the moon. Damn things can seem difficult and they slide right in (I just placed a 16 g this afternoon) and other times the vein is staring at you, doing a little dance and you can't thread it if your life depended on it. Who knows. Pray for a full moon! (When I was in school in SoCal, we had to place a minimum of 100 PIVs. ) Is that still the policy?

I'm starting CRNA school this Fall and I recently became an IV therapist to deal with this issue (and have an ICU break). Basically after 1 day of starting 10 or so IVs, your golden! If you that worried about it, spend a day in the ED and start IVs for them, you'll be a pro. Good luck.