Can you get poked by removing an iv catheter?!

[futurerntho]

I'm freaking out a little because I was removing an IV catheter on a patient yesterday and i held the catheter part. There was a lot of tape so I bundled the tape in my hand and part of the catheter too. At some point, I felt some pressure at the tip of my middle finger and the tip of the catheter. I dont remember now if I felt a puncture, but there's a small bump on my middle finger. I didn't notice any bleeding, but I just keep wondering if maybe it closed up already. That patient's chart also didn't say anything about bloodborne infections/viruses like Hep C or others.

The catheter didn't have a needle in it for sure. But I'm just paranoid I think.

[Asystole RN]

Is it possible? I've heard of crazier things.

Is it likely to pierce a glove AND your finger AND not cause any bleeding? No.

What brand and size was the catheter?

[nursephillyphil, BSN, RN]

if anything you probably got poked by a fold in the tape that made it pointy, not by the catheter

[futurerntho]

I'm still a student so this was my first time and I guess I'm just paranoid. Thank you all.

[Mavrick, BSN, RN]

I'm still a student so this was my first time and I guess I'm just paranoid. Thank you all.

oops didn't know it was your first.

[babilidose]

I'm still a student so this was my first time and I guess I'm just paranoid. Thank you all.

I would then highly encourage you to notify your preceptor if you're completing a task for the first time. Many of us understand that students may see things in sim lab or on YouTube but haven't gotten the opportunity to actually do the skill. You are responsible for your learning. That includes speaking up and asking for supervision when necessary. Furthermore, if there was concern that you were stuck, you should always notify your clinical instructor. ALWAYS! Like I said, people get stuck and splashed and have exposures all the time. You should never fear speaking up and following the necessary steps during a potential exposure. Like another poster suggested, seems like if could have just been tape, and it's HIGHLY UNLIKELY that a plastic catheter could pierce a glove and skin.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

What would you get poked with?

[Mavrick, BSN, RN]

Like another poster suggested, seems like if could have just been tape, and it's HIGHLY UNLIKELY that a plastic catheter could pierce a glove and skin.

The imagination can be a powerful thing.

When I take an IV catheter out I will frequently show the patient how wimpy and flexible the actual catheter is. They remember a needle being put in and don't always realize that the needle doesn't stay in them. They are usually very surprised. Then I explain how when an IV is in their wrist it is easily bent up like a little straw and won't allow the IV fluid to run in. "Oh, that explains why that machine was always beeping". Yup.

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

Where I work only sharps go in sharps container - all other medical waste goes in a separate container to be disposed of a different plant. California laws on medical waste are insane.

[elkpark]

OP, you aren't talking about a butterfly needle, are you?

[Mavrick, BSN, RN]

The catheter didn't have a needle in it for sure. But I'm just paranoid I think.

For sure no needle.

[canigraduate]

LOL!

You're fine.

Pressure does not equal fingerstick. Fingersticks HURT.

[CelticGoddess, BSN, RN]

Would that have been enough to poke me? And where/how should I report it.

That depends on your policy and procedures where you work.