Patients afraid of needles...

It usually happens with my tall big muscle pts. they ask for a butterfly or 1,inch 25 gauge

My new favorite cartoon!!

ISn't this the truth!!!!

"I hate needles!"

-Then how did you get sleeves?

"Those are different"

-How?

"I dont know they just are" *starts sobbing

And distracted time for that norflex!

I work in pediatrics and most of my patients don't react to needles nearly as dramatically as I've seen adults. The youngest child I've ever had cooperate fully with a needle procedure (accessing a port-a-cath) was 2 years old.

I just usually use a little guided imagery, a little breathing coaching, all with the goal of producing someone who is quite relaxed. I've been usually pretty successful.

I just usually use a little guided imagery, a little breathing coaching, all with the goal of producing someone who is quite relaxed. I've been usually pretty successful.

Until the med goes in and hurts like all get up ha ha.

Seriously the needle is the least thing to worry about.

Until the med goes in and hurts like all get up ha ha.

Seriously the needle is the least thing to worry about.

Most of the time, the patients I've had to stick were more worried about the actual stick than the pain/irritation/soreness from the medication.

Incidentally, I prefer some really sharp needles and I also sometimes tap, tap, tap, tap, stick... right next to where I tapped. I do that tapping fairly fast and deep to overwhelm the deep pressure receptors to close the pain gate. If I had a TENS unit handy, I'd use that instead of tapping.

Most of the time, the patients I've had to stick were more worried about the actual stick than the pain/irritation/soreness from the medication.

Incidentally, I prefer some really sharp needles and I also sometimes tap, tap, tap, tap, stick... right next to where I tapped. I do that tapping fairly fast and deep to overwhelm the deep pressure receptors to close the pain gate. If I had a TENS unit handy, I'd use that instead of tapping.

that's interesting...

that's interesting...

Indeed it is. Look up "Gate Control Theory" and you'll find why I sometimes do that those things.

As someone with a lot of tattoos, I am afraid of needles in a medical setting. Not getting shots, but IVs. I am terrified of IVs. For each pregnancy, I had to get IV because of induction. Each IV was successful only after multiple sticks.

I chose to get my tats. I was calm and was not in a hospital for an emergency or procedure. Believe me, it's totally different when someone is in the hospital....