Is this normal?

gr8rnpjt, RN · Dec 8, 2006

My Dh and I took our 6 yr old son to have a sedated MRI yesterday. After sticking him 3 times (2 areas were numb, the third wasn't) they got the IV block in (they didn't hang any fluids) When it came time to give him the contrast they couldn't get it in. The nurse said she got flash back and NS in after she placed it, so she was stumped.
I feel terrible that he had to go through all of this and we still will probably have to go through it again because they didn't get to finish the MRI.
So my questions are: How normal is it to get the IV in with flash back and 30 minutes later not be able to get the contast in? Is it normal for one person (my DH) to say "I don't care, I'm not doing this to him again" and the nurse to not think that we (he) is a complete nut job? (If our doctor says that he wants it done again he will and my DH will understand when I'm finished with him) And can a 6 yr old have rolling, deep set veins (I'm the worst stick because of that)?
I'm just curious as to what happened to his iv site that cause it not to work. They had his arm in a splint to keep him from moving it.
Erin
ps I've learned that my usually happy son is a mean drunk, who has a ATTITUDE when he gets sedated. (at least the nurse let us know taht could happen)

Um, your 6 year old son is a mean drunk?

What was the other question, I forgot after I read your ps. I can't get my head around a 6 year old mean drunk.

P_RN, ADN, RN · Dec 8, 2006

Oh the poor little Tyke. Firs can you say what was the reason for the MRI?

No your husband is not a nut job. He's a daddy.

No you are not ridiculous for asking about your son's IV.

What I do wonder is why anesthesia was not called in? Sedating a tiny one seems to be sufficient reason to have them there.

If this was done in a non-hospital facility, then perhaps your physician should change the orders to have it done in a hospital.

Good luck, Give the baby a hug from allnurses.

allnurses Guide · Dec 8, 2006

Oh, poor little guy. And no, your husband is NOT a nut job . . . I'd be thinking the same thing.

Was your son sedated with oral meds? Is that what you meant by "mean drunk"? My son was 3 when he had surgery and had po versed and he was a "funny drunk" . . .loopy, goofy. He was sedated when the IV was started.

Yes, saline locks can go bad in 1/2 hour.

Give him another big hug from me and also to your husband and yourself.

steph

Jolie, BSN · Dec 8, 2006

Please speak to your ped. and an anesthesia provider about alternative methods of sedation.

My daughter needed a CT scan when she was 5, and I requested sedation because I knew she would be uncooperative and frightened, but the thought of inserting an IV was equally unappealing.

We agreed on oral valium which worked well. She was calm, and able to position herself on the table. The tech was also very skilled in working with kids, and her professionalism made things soooo much easier for us.

Perhaps requesting a referral to a peds. facility would help, too.

Good luck!

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Dec 8, 2006

Kids do coagulate fast. It would have been nice if the nurse had started a continuous IV to flow at at TKO rate (20-30 cc hr if your son can tolerate fluids). I am sorry you had this experience.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 8, 2006

I agree, ask if they are allowed to hang a continuous drip to keep the vein open, explaining that it clotted within 30 minutes the last time.

The dad is just being a dad, and I'm sure will be reasonable after some time.

Good luck.

TazziRN, RN · Dec 8, 2006

I found out from a PICU nurse that in peds, saline locks do not work. It's preferred to either use heparin to lock it or have a running line.

Your husband's reaction is quite normal, it's distressing to see your own child being put through something like that.

An MRI will be harder for a child to lay still for than a CT because of the noise from the magnet. One thing you can do is insist that a CRNA or anesthesiologist start his IV.

mommy2boys · Dec 8, 2006

They did his MRI at the hospital and the anesthesia was given orally (I believe it was cloral hydrate). The IV was only going to be used for the contrast for the MRI.

When I said that he was a mean drunk it was a joke gone bad. The oral meds made him talk, walk, etc like he was drunk (My DH deals with drunks all the time because he is in law enforcement). He was very aggitated like an alocholic is when they are sobering up.

He is had the MRI because he is having trouble reading and understanding school subjects. We took him to the doctor to rule out ADD/ADHD or a learning disability. The doctor (not our PCP) did a neuro check and he failed it (has some issues with balance, hand-eye coordination, etc). The doctor wanted to do the MRI to see what was going on. It is probably nothing but he wanted to be safe.

Thanks

Erin

ps The nurse who started the IV and stayed with us was the greatest. I couldn't have asked for a better nurse and MRI tech.