Basic IV help

[ShaynaSmart]

Yesterday, we practiced spiking and priming primary IVs as well as secondary IVs for the first time. We were using a 16 gauge catheter and taped it to a foam board, pretending that it was our patient. When our teacher told us to remove the needle and leave the flexible cathether on the foam board, because that is what actually goes into the patient, I was surprised.

I didn't want to say anything, since we have a fairly large group of students, but up until this point, I had always thought the whole needle stayed in the patient! I felt too embarrassed to say anything.

I've only had one IV that I've ever paid attention to and that was around last Thanksgiving. I was in the hospital for 3 days and spend a lot of time noticing my IV and to me, it looked like there was a needle in there the whole time! Does that ever happen, or are all IVs done with the flexible catheter inside the vein?

[jmdRN]

99% of the time it will be an IV canula/catheter like the one you saw in class (flexible outher sheath that stays in the vein, and rigid metal part that is withdrawn).

BUT, sometime butterfly catheters like this Google Image Result for http://www.eiremed.ie/images/Butterfly-IV.jpg can be used to infuse meds. They are usually only used for venipuncture.

If they use one like this, then, yes the metal, rigid part stays in.. but it's FAR shorter than the iv canulas, and we dont usually use them for any extended amount of time.

[ShaynaSmart]

Thanks for the clarification!

[Sun0408, ASN, RN]

You are not alone, many people think the "needle" is still in their arm. It is a common misconception. No, the needle is removed and the soft cath is left in place unless it just a venipuncture for labs.

[earthcrosser]

A lot of people think the needle is in - parents will be terrified of their baby's scalp IV because they think a needle is going into their brain.Don't feel embarrassed to ask questions - you will find that your patients or their families will often later ask you some of those same "basic" questions. You can even ask your teacher abou how to educate the patient about said IV insertion - it'll be helpful at some point in your career.

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

I can assure you that the needle is NEVER left in the vein when an IV is placed. If that were the case, no fluid would be able to get through the IV because the needle would be blocking the opening. Also, every time the patient moved that area (think about IV's in the hand or AC) the needle would poke through the vein and tissues, causing serious pain and completely destroying the vein.

Yet, this is definitely a big misconception for patients. I've removed IV's from many patients who were just shocked that there isn't actually a needle in their arm. I make sure that I tell my peds patients who are freaked about their IV that the needle isn't in there. I usually show them an angiocath without the needle and explain it like a "straw" in their vein.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

The only time I can think of that a needle is left in long-term is with a port-a-cath. In that case, the huber needle can stay in place for up to one week. With peripheral IVs, the needle is removed immediately after placing the IV and only the cannula remains.