Best sites for IV's in the forearm

[payday]

What are the best sites to start an IV below the AC space? :)

[CRNAsoon]

I've never really noticed a "best" location for everyone b/c it's highly individualized for each patient.

[charles-thor]

Grab an anatomy atlas, and review venous anatomy in the hand and forearm. There are several that are very reliable in most patients. Here is the first place that I usually look. There are usually two veins on either side of your ring finger knuckle that converge a cm or two proximal to the knuckle. Stab at the point that they join each other. This is a good start, but nothing substitutes examining lots of people after looking at a good anatomy text. Good luck!

[charles-thor]

Grab an anatomy atlas, and review venous anatomy in the hand and forearm. There are several that are very reliable in most patients. Here is the first place that I usually look. There are usually two veins on either side of your ring finger knuckle that converge a cm or two proximal to the knuckle. Stab at the point that they join each other. This is a good start, but nothing substitutes examining lots of people after looking at a good anatomy text. Good luck!

[payday]

thanks Charles-thor for that pointer. For my hour home visits, I've done many AC sticks but didn't feel comfortable below that.

[payday]

thanks Charles-thor for that pointer. For my hour home visits, I've done many AC sticks but didn't feel comfortable below that.

[PHTLS]

Ummmm...the best veins are the one's you can see visually and are firm or palpable?

[PHTLS]

Ummmm...the best veins are the one's you can see visually and are firm or palpable?

[payday]

Some of the lab draws in home health are challenging because pts. are homebound and elderly, and I've done some sticks (a few hand) that experienced awesome nurses could not hit, so please don't frown. This is an fantastic learning board for nurses to help one another. I am a fairly new RN who previously did not draw labs or start IV's in my LPN days.

[payday]

Some of the lab draws in home health are challenging because pts. are homebound and elderly, and I've done some sticks (a few hand) that experienced awesome nurses could not hit, so please don't frown. This is an fantastic learning board for nurses to help one another. I am a fairly new RN who previously did not draw labs or start IV's in my LPN days.

[hypnotic_nurse]

I always check to see where my veins are (luckily I have really good ones, close to the surface so I can see them) then palpate for something similar on my patient (I'm good at phlebotomy, so-so at IVs because I don't get to do them that often). Otherwise, go for what you can see or feel. The better you feel about it, the more likely you'll get it (it's an art AND a skill) -- and even people who are really good at it have the occasional bad day when they couldn't hit a garden hose if they tried.

[hypnotic_nurse]

I always check to see where my veins are (luckily I have really good ones, close to the surface so I can see them) then palpate for something similar on my patient (I'm good at phlebotomy, so-so at IVs because I don't get to do them that often). Otherwise, go for what you can see or feel. The better you feel about it, the more likely you'll get it (it's an art AND a skill) -- and even people who are really good at it have the occasional bad day when they couldn't hit a garden hose if they tried.