Best way to start IV on infant or child

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello all, I interviewed for a hospital position yesterday. I am a new grad and didn't get the interview for the posting I wanted and they offered to have me interview for a peds floor position. After touring me around the floor and showed me the room where they start the IV's I just felt like I went pale. I didn't have trouble with adults during clinical but never did we start any IV's on babies or children. I am completely in the weeds on this. I observed staff nurses starting or attempting to start them on little ones during clinical and it was a real challenge and usually took several to nurses to be successful. What are the best veins and where is the best sites for little ones. I am fearful of it all together and how will I be successful at something I told myself in school "that would be off limits for me" and now I get the official job offer for an acute care peds floor! :eek:

Specializes in ED.
I thank you, and with all due respect you know exactly what I was inquiring about. I think peds nurses deserve IV hazzard pay! Man o man this is going to kick my a$$. But at least you are pointing out that the dorsal hand is the #1 sweet spot. By the way, when you talked about using a syringe, you weren't talking about floating the cath in right?

No, you attach it to the end of the hep lock to draw blood. Don't use a vacutainer.

Specializes in med surg ltc psych.

Okay. The Weelight sounds like a great help. Umm, can you tell me what the hot dog game is? Tried a few scenarios in my head and didn't get it figured out :)

Specializes in er, pediatric er.

I worked Pediatric Emergency Department for 5 years. The person you have to hold for you is probably the most important piece to started an iv on a ped. Also, make sure you are nice to the child's parents. That is one thing that's unique to pediatrics, you have to include the parents. If you have calmed the parent's concerns and fears, it goes a long way with the kids. Having all the supplies ready is important too. I even tore my tape and had it ready. You have to use a lot more tape to secure a line in a child. We always covered ours with what we called "no-nos", which were white cloth contraptions that wrapped around the arm or leg and velcroed closed. Also, you will find with infants and little kids, you will need to secure the limb to a board as well. After a few starts, you will get a groove going and a particular way you hold, tape, and dress the iv site. You will gain confidence as you gain experience, and pretty soon starting iv's on peds will be second nature! Now, you'll have good days and days you can't hit the broad side of a barn, just as you have with adults. I think a pediatric floor is ok for a new grad, if you want to do peds. With that being said, you have to be sure that you can cope with doing procedures that will hurt the child and that they don't understand why they are being hurt. Also, can you cope with a child dieing or coping with abused children. These were the hardest things i had to do as a pediatric nurse. i started as a new grad. I loved doing pediatrics! I only do adults now because the childrens hospital i worked for was >60 miles away from my house and i got tired of driving after i had a baby 2 years ago! i eventually intend to go back in a few years.

I wish you luck!

Specializes in OR, peds, PALS, ICU, camp, school.

What did you interview for? Maternity? Did you indicate in anyway that peds interested you? Sorry. Peds is not a "since I can't get the job I want in a tight economy" position. It takes a nurse who really wants to do it. Kids are different. They can get very sick very quick and you need to know unique techniques to stablize them. Parents can be hovering over your shoulder or absent for days on end. Kids need a special kind of TLC... or tough love.

I'm not trying to be a meanie or overly negative but this is a reality and when my kid is sick I want a peds nurse, not a nurse who "works in peds"

Specializes in OB/DR,MED-SURG.

As for me now that I'm an RN here in the Philippines...the only technique I use is to start inserting the needle in the skin and then go in but dont get too deep enough....I do usually use the foot sites.

This article helped me..http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3689/is_200012/ai_n8915169/

Specializes in Med Surg, Peds, OB, L/D, Ortho.

Another handy tip taught to me long ago was to start with the bevel down so the bevel enters the lumen of the vessel and doesn't rest against the side of the vessel. Older kids are easier and can "help" you.....babies and toddlers need plenty of helpers and holders! Good luck:D:D

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