Who numbs for needlesticks?

*truern* · Jun 07, 2009, 05:51 PM

Re: Who numbs for needlesticks?

Originally Posted by AirforceRN

I may get flamed for this but...
Really? Its just a needle stick! If it were up to me, there would be a lot more "suck it up"s being passed out. Sure, having a needle stuck into your arm for IV, blood draw or IM hurts....for about 5 seconds. The potential bruising etc is still going to be there after the emla wears off anyway.

I'm all for pain control but I don't consider the pain from a needle stick worthy of pharmaceutical prophylaxis.

Obviously you have good veins. I don't. For a recent follow-up breast MRI I was stuck three times for an IV...three if you just count the needle actually entering the skin. Not sure how to count the *riggin digging around because "something HAS to be around here somewhere!". It took two people over 30 minutes to finally get an IV in for the contrast. Sure, I "sucked it up", but would have appreciated a little something for what was much longer than "5 seconds" of pain.

smanion · Jun 08, 2009, 09:21 AM

Re: Who numbs for needlesticks?

I have had many IVs in my years, I also have horrible veins.
I was in the hospital for 2 weeks after my daughter was born. IVs the entire time, and of course, they would have to be changed quite often. There was one night that I had 2 nurses on my left arm and a nurse on my right arm ALL digging in my arm trying to get on IV. Sure it hurt, sure it bothered me and I was upset, but it didnt traumatize me. Its just something that sometimes happen.
I dont really care if they use the numbing medicine on me or not. Actually, it burns more than getting the IV done.

PICNICRN · Jun 10, 2009, 08:45 PM

Re: Who numbs for needlesticks?

Originally Posted by AirforceRN

I may get flamed for this but...
Really? Its just a needle stick! If it were up to me, there would be a lot more "suck it up"s being passed out. Sure, having a needle stuck into your arm for IV, blood draw or IM hurts....for about 5 seconds. The potential bruising etc is still going to be there after the emla wears off anyway.

As for kids...I'm pretty much of the same mind. Its going to hurt for a second then it will go away. Its not that big of a deal. The kids aren't going to be traumatized by a blood draw, they get worse at home when they stub their toes. Frankly, the "We're going to put this magic cream on you so the NEEDLE won't hurt...we'll be back in 30 minutes" will probably cause more anticipatory pain and suffering then the actual needle itself.
I'm all for pain control but I don't consider the pain from a needle stick worthy of pharmaceutical prophylaxis.

I'm gonna have to disagree with you on this one. Wasn't too many years ago that we didn't use local for a circumcision because the baby wouldn't remember it anyway.
It absolutely IS "that big of a deal" to have an IV start- kids veins are not like ours and sometimes we have to stick them more than once to get a IV started on a dehydrated chubby little toddler(Even us IV experts). While I agree, it is probably just as scary to be wrapped up and basically held down for the start- I feel that it is absolutely important to be numb while we are digging around for a tiny little vein.
We are using the J-tip.... I really like it. We have seen great results so far! We also tried it on each other and I can honestly tell you that I felt NOTHING when my IV was started. Sooooo much better than EMLA or that freeze spray!

*AirforceRN* · Jun 12, 2009, 11:16 PM

Re: Who numbs for needlesticks?

Originally Posted by PICNICRN

I'm gonna have to disagree with you on this one. Wasn't too many years ago that we didn't use local for a circumcision because the baby wouldn't remember it anyway.

There is a pretty big difference between having a needle stuck in your arm and having your foreskin cut off.
Just sayin

ringaroundtheposey · Jun 17, 2009, 02:44 AM

Re: Who numbs for needlesticks?

Add me to the pansy list lol, I think in some cases it is a good idea (if it looks like you are going to have to dig around) and sometimes there is no point (Huge hose for veins people)

lpnstudentin2010 · Jun 17, 2009, 12:04 PM

Re: Who numbs for needlesticks?

I like to be numbed but these days I have stopped asknig. I was enver given any issue about it (since my hospital is a peds hospital so they are used to it) but I felt like a baby. I warn the nurse I am needle phobic but am able to deal with it. I then start doing deep breathing while they start getting ready to do it and just keep breathing right through it, and usually do pretty good. Only time recently I freaked was a nurse who was not terribally good at ivs was trying on me. could not get the cathater into the vein, the cathater actually bent, and she was digging. she pulled out and my actual nurse did it. and got it.

G'smommy · Jun 20, 2009, 11:02 PM

Re: Who numbs for needlesticks?

Perhaps the person saying "suck it up" has never been in the hospital with their own child. I have-- watching my 4 year old son tear up each time someone walked in the room b/c he knew he would get stuck again was painful. He tried so hard to be a brave boy and didn't fight at all, but it would have been tons better on him if we could have numbed the site. For kids who don't trust nurses and doctors anyway, it is a great idea. It shows them that we are doing our best to make it as painless as possible.

melz34 · Jun 22, 2009, 10:05 AM

Re: Who numbs for needlesticks?

Originally Posted by truern

Obviously you have good veins. I don't. For a recent follow-up breast MRI I was stuck three times for an IV...three if you just count the needle actually entering the skin. Not sure how to count the *riggin digging around because "something HAS to be around here somewhere!". It took two people over 30 minutes to finally get an IV in for the contrast. Sure, I "sucked it up", but would have appreciated a little something for what was much longer than "5 seconds" of pain.

I have horrible veins the hospital dont like mine and when trying to find a vein to put in the IV its like trying to get blood out of a stone i have had 15 Ivs in my life so far from being about 7

nocangel2 · Jul 05, 2009, 03:50 AM

Re: Who numbs for needlesticks?

We can get the LMX on override if we want it and the J-tip by order. However, I agree with the vasoconstiction comments. For infant to 5y the holding down seems to be the worst part and that can't be fixed. We just use distraction and emotional supprort of course, plus the child life specialist during the day.

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Who numbs for needlesticks?

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