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Discussion

IV Insertion...HELP!!!

My school restructured our curriculum so that IV insertion is not taught until the second year (they also nixed the LPN program). I just started a job as an ED tech, and one of the duties is to start IVs. I get a flash, but then I blow the vein. The hospital where I work does not provide IV training via the staff education department, so I am watching other techs and nurses, all of whom have different techniques.

Anyone know of a web site that has a "live" demonstration or tutorial?

Thanks in advance.

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I don't, sorry.

I did want to say that for me, doing it is the only way I "get it". We have a very expensive program at our school, kind of like a simulation type thing were you have a control that is shaped like the equipment you use in the real world and it has resistance like you'll have when you really do it...but even that couldn't prepare me for how it really was. You just gotta jump in and work on it until you get it!

Watching others do it would be most helpful, IMO. Also we had a step by step instruction chapter in our skills book that I found helpful. I suppose it does depend on what type of learner you are! In any event, best of luck to you!!

I am amazed that your facility does not offer classes on this! My best advice is to find another more experiened person and ask for their help in learning this skill. Also your local barnes and noble (or online), may have texts to help with this.

I will say that practice makes perfect. Prior to becoming a nurse, I was in veterinary medicine for 16 years. I was really good at IV catheters on pets, so a person should be no problem, right? Wrong! My first attempts at IV starts on people were not successful. Boy was I humbled! Its the older or overweight pts that were the worst. No veins to speak of or so tiny, a 24g blows it! I kept practicing, and watching, and asking questions, and I am now pretty good at it. I still will ask for help if I really cant find a vein, but if I see one, I will try first. Practice makes perfect (most of the time).

Amy

  • Expert

the reason the vein is "blowing" is because you have either just nicked the vein and not actually gotten the needle completely into the vein or you went into and directly out of the vein in two fell swoops. the "blow" is actually bleeding (hematoma), or blood spilling out of the rupture you created in the venous wall. i have always told new learners at iv venipuncture to visualize in your mind that you are inserting a rigid rod into a hollow pipe. the two parts have to be dead on perfectly aligned and seated together. a degree off in any direction and you will pierce the wall of the vein again and "blow" your stick. being really good at ivs takes months and months of practice, practice, practice. watching a video is only a start. much has to do with your ability to accurately visualize and interpret what is taking place beneath the skin that you cannot see and what the tips of your fingers are sensing. you are being told this by someone who started out really bad at doing ivs and managed to become an expert at it. just hang in there and keep on plugging away at it. seeking the reasons for why mistakes are occurring is the first step to improving. good for you!

these websites have some videos on iv insertion:

there is also information on starting iv's on these websites and one of the allnurses threads:

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