starting IV "blind stick"

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Med/Surg, Home Health.

Yesterday I had a patient go down quick, and unfortunately her IV infiltrated at the same time! She was very edematous and I couldnt palpate any vein so I just stuck where I thought a vein should be. Ya kinda get an idea of where veins are located. I got the iv with one stick, I was shocked. Im very good with IV's, but I just got lucky on this one. I was so proud though. That as the first time Ive ever done a "blind stick". The patient needed IV push meds, she was stabilized....THANK GOD! I didnt leave until 9:45 last night, after going in at 7 am. It was a rough day. Anyway, just wanted to share. :)

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Specializes in Cardiac, Hospice, Float pool, Med/Peds.

That is awesome... I love starting IV's too and am one of the best on the floor... I sometimes take the blind stick too when I cannot see anything... What a feeling to get it, ha?? Good for you!!!

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Specializes in Cath Lab, OR, CPHN/SN, ER.

Good job! I think a lot of us have had to do that when a patient was crumping- you know there is one somewhere in there. (Of course I wouldn't go trying to do it on someone who was awake and just needed some rehydration, but more emergent situations).

I still remember my IV I was most proud of. I still brag about it. LOL

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Specializes in LDRP/Nursery/Peds/Gyn, school nursing.

I had a labor patient's IV fall out during 2nd stage. Snagged a new one in during a contraction when she was pushing. Didn't need a tourniquet and she never noticed a thing; it was all put back together by the end of the contraction! Beautiful!

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

Good job!

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Specializes in Vascular Access.
Yesterday I had a patient go down quick, and unfortunately her IV infiltrated at the same time! She was very edematous and I couldnt palpate any vein so I just stuck where I thought a vein should be. Ya kinda get an idea of where veins are located. I got the iv with one stick, I was shocked. Im very good with IV's, but I just got lucky on this one. I was so proud though. That as the first time Ive ever done a "blind stick". The patient needed IV push meds, she was stabilized....THANK GOD! I didnt leave until 9:45 last night, after going in at 7 am. It was a rough day. Anyway, just wanted to share. :)

Well, I'm glad that you were able to successfully cannulate her vessel, BUT, Blind sticks are a big NO-NO.

One of the number 1 reasons nurses are being sued these days is for nerve damage. If you can't see it, you have to be able to palpate it. Not seeing or palpating the vessel can mean that you will damage nerves and cause Causalgia or RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy). Think how you would defend your position in a court of law...Hmmm.

It is good to remember "normal" venous anatomy as it will help you during palpation, but don't do blind sticks... Please.

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