Having trouble with starting some IVs

Nurses General Nursing

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I am a first year nurse and am getting better at starting IVs but I still have trouble at times with more obese patients. Any suggestions?

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Perhaps invest in a venoscope? Although they are pricey, they help you visualize the location of the veins in obese patients, dark-skinned people, and individuals with veins that you cannot see or feel.

As always, practice makes perfect. Good luck with your IV-starting ventures!

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Obese patients are tough. I work in peds so most of my patients have nice, young, strong, visible veins, but I still struggle when I get really big patients. Knowing where to look helps, but I also make sure to watch whoever I have to get to come in and do it when I've been unsuccessful and watch how they find the veins. Our medics tend to be great for this since they all have more experience with adults.

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Specializes in ICU.

Obese patient are much harder. The trick I learned is when you find a vein, you have to go in a little deeper to get through the fat. I go in at a deeper angle SLOWLY until I get the flash.

IV's are one of those things that takes lots of practice and learning different tricks and techniques.

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