artery or vein

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I was starting an IV on an older lady who's veins would run away at the site of a needle. On the back side of the arm I finally spotted a straight blue line stuck it and successfully started my 2nd IV. I know wonder if I placed it in a vein or an artery bc it was about 2 1/2- 3 inches from where I saw a radial artey puncture. The blood was dark red and I did not notice any pulsating. Justt alittle worried. Any suggestions?

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Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, GI, Cardiology, OR.

Unquestionably, it had to be vein, since artery is a bright color of red, but to be sure you can draw from the site and double check it it's actually vein or artery my guess is vein. Lastly, good luck ,keep an eye on it:redbeathe

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Specializes in Vascular Access.
I was starting an IV on an older lady who's veins would run away at the site of a needle. On the back side of the arm I finally spotted a straight blue line stuck it and successfully started my 2nd IV. I know wonder if I placed it in a vein or an artery bc it was about 2 1/2- 3 inches from where I saw a radial artey puncture. The blood was dark red and I did not notice any pulsating. Justt alittle worried. Any suggestions?

Well, if you think about it, where are arteries "normally" located? Deep within the body tissue right? Veins, however are superficially located. So, does this mean that you will never find a superficial artery.. No, there are aberrant arteries which are superficially located, and therefore in unusual spots, but this is NOT a typical presentation. However, with this you'll feel it pulse under your fingers when you employ palpation techniques and as the previous poster stated, the color of arterial blood is bright red.

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