What size needle would you use?

[Darlene K.]

This is probably a stupid question.....but, several nurses at our pedi urgent care facility want to give all of their IM injections with nothing larger than a 23g needle. We frequently give Rocephin and Bicillin. I like to use a 21g to 22g and I now I am being told that is too large!

Any opinions would be appreciated!:

[WalMart_ADN]

depends on how big the kid is, personally....i would not use a 21g on an infant....

[prmenrs, RN]

I agree w/Walmart. In NICU, we routinely give blood thru a 24g IV, absolutely a no-no almost every where else. And we would never give an IM w/ >than a 25ga needle.

Size dependent decisions!

[Mattigan, RN]

I use 22's. Almost always. Length varies though.

[nurs4kids]

I'm with prmenrs..

we frequently give all meds, even blood, through a 24ga angiocath..not just on the infants, but on other kids with difficult-to-access veins.

I would NEVER use bigger than a 23 ga on ANY kid..

and on a small child/infant, I always use a 25ga.

What's the benefit of a larger bore needle? Sure, it's easier to push, but does that make it less or more painful for the patient?

[IRISHBREAD]

DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF THE CHILD ON SMALL CHILDREN I WOULDN'T USE ANYTHING LARGER THAN 23 G ON TEENAGERS I WOULD CONSIDER A 22 G