IV tips and tricks

I'm not a nurse. I just want to say I've had about 4 IVs (3 pre-op, 1 ER), and I have no complaints. They've always put them in the elbow (antecubital?) vein, as most of my other veins are rather deep, even though they are very visible. (I'm extremely fairskinned). I've had no pain with any of them... a few I never even felt. Are IVs in other areas (say, the hand) more painful, perhaps, or am I just lucky not to feel anything?

I've also donated blood and plasma back in my college days... even most of those were painless. Some were a tad scary, but painless! (In donating plasma, I had the blood end up clotting and I didn't notice, neither did anyone else until it was running all over the place, was one instance.) I don't donate plasma anymore, but it's not because of that. My last couple of donations, I started vomiting mid-donation. Not sure if because of the anti-coagulant or if my electrolytes got imbalanced, but I decided after 2 times of vomiting in public (You know how donation centers are, with like 20 people in there with you), that was enough. Sorry, I guess I just chased a rabbit!

Anyhow, thanks for the good job you guys do and the gentleness you do it with and often get no credit for!

thats just it, its not done by sight, its done by feel. some veins are better than others.

i think IVs hurt no matter where u out them. of course, those docs that put them on the inside of the wrist should be shot.

In L&D we always try to use 18 g. We need to have a large bore for fluid resucitation fetus, for hypotension r/t epidurals, for stat c-sections or for blood. I will only use a 20 if I have no other choice.

I'm terrible at palpating too. I need to see it, and I admit, I can seldom feel that "pop" in my babies. I also don't like using that wierdo light thingy, but a good 80% of the nurses here seem to.

Ain't that the truth!! I had a nurse that put an IV in my wrist when i was admitted to deliver my 2nd child. I still remember the IV pain was worst in comparison to the actual natural birth pain!

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Oh yeah..shoot em all ....when i was admitted for ?AGN, this doc cant get through my visible, bouncing veins on my hands and forearms..twas d 6th cannulla on the inside of my wrist she got.... i asked is ther sumthing wrong w/ my veins?..well, she politely sed, "no, ur veins r perfect..twas me..cuz i know ur a nurse"....

I've seen grey catheters before. Anyone know what size they are?

grey = 16g

orange = 14g

at least at my hospital and with our local ambulance/fire services

Thank you for the information!

Have not read all the replys..so i am sorry if this was stated......


But if when advancing a cannula and you realize that you are up against a valve, remove the needle and attach a 3cc hep flush.

Push the saline while simultaneously advancing the cath. Good trick.