shaky hands

[Nurseismade RN]

I start ADN Classes in two weeks However I have a problem in that my hands are not the steadiest, in fact I actually shake somewhat when nervous.

Needless to say, I wonder how this will effect drawing blood, shots, iv's etc.

any advice will be deeply appreciated

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

I start ADN Classes in two weeks However I have a problem in that my hands are not the steadiest, in fact I actually shake somewhat when nervous.

Needless to say, I wonder how this will effect drawing blood, shots, iv's etc.

any advice will be deeply appreciated

Ah, yes, how I remember. I did the same thing. It gets better with experience and time. I can remember when I was first starting to do IV's, I would tear extra tape, whether I needed it or not, just to divert my attention from the shaking hands. It helped, too.

Good luck. You will do fine.

[m_lynn]

my hands shake all the time, even when I am not vervous. I just learn to deal with it, it has never been an issue with any of my instructors during clinicals

[speedykicks]

my hands shake all the time, even when I am not vervous. I just learn to deal with it, it has never been an issue with any of my instructors during clinicals

beta blockers can help with this.

[Nurseismade RN]

beta blockers can help with this.

Thanks Siri, m lynn and speedykicks

what are beta blockers and how do they help???

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

Thanks Siri, m lynn and speedykicks

what are beta blockers and how do they help???

Beta Blockers are a type of medications used to treat HTN, angina (chest pain), irregular heart rate, prevent migranes and control some types of tremors (shaking).

You must see a physician/NP and have a thorough examination before this would even be considered as a treatment for you.

[JudithL_in_NH]

However I have a problem in that my hands are not the steadiest, in fact I actually shake somewhat when nervous.

I have the same problem.

Cutting out caffeine, getting adequate rest, and maintaining a constant blood sugar (i.e., avoiding both hypo and hyperglycemia--either makes me shake more) helped me a great deal. My physician would not entertain B-blockade, claiming it is reserved for much more severe cases than mine; meds are something I will bring up again in the future, though, if the problem re-asserts itself.

[tmp1936]

the first time i passed meds i got myself so worked up i dropped pills all over the floor and i did it three times, right in front of my professor 2 students, and to RN's i felt horrible, but i took a deep breath and pulled it together in the end sometimes you just need a minute to collect yourself and calm down

[tyler]

maintaining a constant blood sugar (i.e., avoiding both hypo and hyperglycemia--either makes me shake more) helped me a great deal.

regarding this point, something as simple as starting off the day with breakfast foods that are low on the glycemic index has helped my wife out tremendously. she used to get hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) in the mid afternoon and get shaky, lose concentration, get headaches, lose strength, and get irritable. now she has a protein shake - the good ones are sweetened with stevia, a natural sweetener that doesn't spike your blood sugar like sugars can (my wife swears even artificial sweeteners do too and we think they taste nasty anyways) - in the morning and makes sure she eats well all day. we discussed this with our physician and she noted that the typical american diet and eating habits wreak havoc with our blood sugar levels and can be associated with numerous health problems (not the least of which is adult-onset diabetes which is being diagnosed in adults at an alarming rate).

btw, isn't it a little rash to start suggesting beta blockers for shakiness (sp?). seems like you should tell your physician though, just in case.

ty

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

In a stressful situation, like strting an IV on a screaming child, take breaks between sticks and conciously relax. During the procedure you can hold the cannula and at the same time rest your 4th and 5th fingers on the patients skin, and insert with finger motion rather than hand or arm motion. It's gentler, and works when your patient is moving- your hand will move with them, and steadys the shaking. Insert in small increments, be zen-like and calm in your mind even if it is chaos in the room. And be sure to have a helper so they can answer questions or chat while you are concentrating on that one thing.

[Nurseismade RN]

Thanks to all of you,

Great advice, especially about the eating the right foods low on the glycemic index. I don't think I can cut caffeine...but I am down to one cup a day :)