Drawing blood and shakey hands!!!

gator_bait13 · Feb 6, 2009

I had some what of the same problem when I first started IV's. I found that although I didn't feel very nervouse I was. As I got more and more IV's the shakes went a way. I am hypoglycemic so I also get shakes really bad when my sugar is low...ya may wanna think about that. I am sure you'll do great. Be confident and the more times you try the better you will get!

Nurseismade RN · Feb 7, 2009

I started working in a drs office. They are teaching me to do blood draws. Which I am thrilled to do!!! The problem is my hands shake. I know I am somewhat nervous...but I worry its more than that!! Because I noticed my hands doing that before I ever became a lpn. I only drink decaf coffee...but I do drink alot of diet coke...so...I am hoping thats the programs.....if this doesnt work...I dont know what I will do...because this is one reason they hired me...because I wanted to learn to do it.......Today was my day off and I noticed my hands shaking somewhat...but I wasnt hungrey....but I had been drinking some regular diet coke earlier in the day....and decided to stop and switch to caffeine free....I JUST HOPE THIS WORKS....I REALLY WANT TO DRAW BLOOD and I dont want to lose this job because my hands shake:cry:

you are certainly not alone...just type shakey hands in the search allnurses.....you will find many posts that will definetly help....i was going to link one...but there are so many...one really good tip i got was to purse your lips and blow as you hold the needle to the vein....the reason is you can not shake as you blow....it works.....

goodness123 · Feb 7, 2009

maybe u should get it check out, or maybe its jus u. need to relax

stellina615 · Feb 8, 2009

I've had problems with shaky hands. Admittedly, this is often due to nerves as opposed to caffeine. I try to use butterfly needles whenever I can, because once you get the needle in the vein, you can usually just let it sit on the inner forearm/hand/whatever while you pop the tubes on and off the hub, without worrying if you're wiggling the needle around in the patient's vein. Also, if you're doing a draw from the antecubital space, don't forget to have the pt rest his/her arm on a pillow. It gives you a better angle to approach the vein, and the fact that the pt's arm is a bit hyperextended often makes the veins stand out better. Good luck! You'll do great! :up:

Quilter0225 · Feb 10, 2009

I have fine hand tremor bc of a med I take. It's a pain in the butt, but I have learned to work with it. Cutting out caffeine helps a lot. I haven't totally eliminated it bc then I would have to give up chocolate. That's not going to happen! I find that if I can brace my hand or my elbow on a pillow under the arm or on the pt's arm it helps a lot. Practice also helps. Take the time to set everything up the way you like it before you stick the patient. Raise the bed, turn up the lights, prop the arm with a pillow, whatever it takes. I am right handed and it's a little easier for me to stick the pt's right arm than the left. Keep trying! You'll get it.

Fabian06 · Jan 25, 2011

i have been been told that as a cna (i work at a hospital in MA) we are being forced into drawing blood and theyre getting rid of all lab techs. anyways because of how nerve racking this is and for 5 hours of class time they had us stick eachother, my hand that i use to go in with the needle shakes so bad i shake the patients arm....i successfuly get blood and somehow manage not to pop the needle out of the vein, how i dont know, and after each success it doesnt get better. im starting to think there is something wrong, someone suggested practicing over and over threading a needle just getting a grasp of doing something meticulous without shaking hey, ill try ANYTHING