Pre op Question

[redmango]

Wondering for those nurses working in peds pre op, how old do you start your IVs on kids? Some facilities depending on age use mask induction then start an IV while child asleep. Does your hospital have a policy? 

[MakeItRain]

Usually the age is around 8 years old. That beings said, it's not strictly an age related practice, more so it's dependent on the pt's size/weight. Some anesthesia providers will not induce a patient without IV access because they have no means of mitigating cardiovascular compromise that can occur early in induction, which is more profound in "larger" patients, as in; bigger than a small child. I've see some rather large children as young as 6 that required IV access prior to rolling to OR.

[Roxi394]

Why do they have to be sleep for you to do it, what if it’s like a check up like just a hospital visit they have to be put to sleep?

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

2 hours ago, Roxi394 said:

Why do they have to be sleep for you to do it, what if it’s like a check up like just a hospital visit they have to be put to sleep?

Because with the younger children, they don't understand what happens so they fight, and when you're taking them for surgery, parents do not come with, which makes them fight even more. Anyone under anesthesia needs an IV; it's just less traumatic for the kids if they are "gassed down" with a scented mask and inhaled anesthesia. Also easier on the staff trying to start an IV because they aren't trying to hit a moving target and missing, meaning they have to keep trying and traumatizing the kid even more. It's actually not uncommon for kids having surgery, especially special needs, to have a lot of care clustered while they're under anesthesia- lab draws, 12-lead EKGs, etc.

[Roxi394]

Ohh that makes sense thanks for the information