Patients afraid of needles...

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Specializes in CCU, Geriatrics, Critical Care, Tele.

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Every often we get a patient that has a fear of needles. What do you do? What's your secret in calming these patients?

Please share your most memorable experience with the community.

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Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, GI, Cardiology, OR.

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

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Emergency, CEN.

My new favorite cartoon!!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

isn't that the truth!!!

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ISn't this the truth!!!!

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Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

"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!

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Specializes in Pedi.

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.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

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.

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Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.
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.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.
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.

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Specializes in cardiac, emergency.
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...

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Specializes in Emergency Department.
that's interesting...

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

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