Published Jan 8, 2008
mikethern
358 Posts
What size angiocath do you usually use to start an IV?
meownsmile, BSN, RN
2,532 Posts
Nothing smaller than a 20 if i can help it.
flightnurse2b, LPN
1 Article; 1,496 Posts
18g or 20g is usually what I use
crysobrn
222 Posts
We use 18's on pretty much everyone. I work L&D. We may use a 20 if we know for sure they won't be delivering (ie a hyperem pt).
GrumpyRN63, ADN, RN
833 Posts
Depends on what it's needed for and size of available veins...usually like to use 20g on larger veins especially dorsum of hand, (like to generally avoid hands unless nothing suitable) lateral forearms, cephalic , then I use 22g for deeper, smaller veins , ie: inner wrist up to ( yet excluding) antecubital My BIG PET PEEVE, nurses using 22g or even 24g!!! in the antecub`
prmenrs, RN
4,565 Posts
24g Jelco's. 100% of the time.
Djuna
276 Posts
20g unless there is a likelihood of the patient requiring a blood transfusion or a trauma, then I'll use an 18g.
angelique777
263 Posts
My goal is always an 18gauge but often have to put a 20g or 22g because I had no other choice. Everything is relative to how good your access is.
Quick question at my hospital
Green =18
Pink=20
Blue =22
What size is a yellow gauge I got that color canula one day on a patient that transferred from another hospital to our cath lab and cath lab sent patient to me. Told me on report she had a 20gauge
When I got the patient she had a yellow canula what size is that????????????Just curious if someone knows.
EricJRN, MSN, RN
1 Article; 6,683 Posts
My FT job is in the NICU, so when I'm on the ambulance or outside the NICU and someone suggests that I must be an IV king, my standard reply is, "Yep. I can put a 24 in anything."
Kyrshamarks, BSN, RN
1 Article; 631 Posts
The colors are industry standardized. Yellow is a 24 ga.
TazziRN, RN
6,487 Posts
18 or 20 on adults. Traumas got 18 or 16. I even sank a 14 once. I've seen a 12 but only in a display....ouch!
Children get whatever I can get in.
Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN
11,305 Posts
Mostly "pink" but also "green". :rotfl:
steph;)