Simulating arm veins for practice IV's

[linda2097]

How does idea sound for teaching others how to start IV's?

Roll up a towel so it is as thick as a human arm. Put IV tubing on top of it so it looks like a vein. Then put tegaderm on top of the fake vein and towel. Then practice starting IV's on it. Any better ideas?

[lpnflorida, LPN]

I suppose that could work, but how about trying different sizes of cooked noodles. To me that also would help simulate the fact that some veins roll away, that some veins are small while others are large. Only a thought and I am not quite sure how it could be accomplished.

[bronzemint23]

I like the noodle idea!

[mc3, ASN, RN]

I like both ideas!!!

mc3

[IVRUS, BSN, RN]

Other ideas include:

1. Buy balloons, one pkt of elongated balloons and one pkt of round ones. Blow up a round balloon and then engorge up one of the long, thin ballooons with a substance such as coffee. Place the round ballooon in a large latex glove and take the coffee filled one and place in onto the round balloon, but situated under the glove too.

Now, you have a flashback when the poke the vein, or coffee balloon. (and if your angle is too steep, 'POP') It can be quite fun, but can also make a mess (Especially if nurses aren't occluding the vein with pressure once the needle is removed)

2. Do a simular situation as above, but instead of filling the round balloon with air, fill it with sand. This makes great fun especially if you "bury" the vein (or elongated balloon)

3. Go to www.needlepoints.com and order practice arms...

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

IVRS Do you know of any other sites that i can view practice arms. We can afford more....i like the ones that look like real arms....tx mary

[GrumpyRN63, ADN, RN]

I always offer up my veins, nothing like the real thing !!! plus I can coach, and it helps the newbie with confidence

[athena55, BSN, RN]

I agree with Grumpy

I always offer the new 68WM6 (LPN's) my arms. I have GREAT antecubital's and wonderful dorsal hand veins

athena

[IVRUS, BSN, RN]

ivrs do you know of any other sites that i can view practice arms. we can afford more....i like the ones that look like real arms....tx mary

sorry mary,

other than the medical supply places like, www.enasco.com , i don't have an answer for you.

i too like the ones that look like real hands/arms, but they are so costly.

the ones from needlepoints work well though because: 1. they have a compartment within the arm which can hold supplies for practice. 2. the round ones come with two veins, of different sizes and they last forever.

diane

[SaraO'Hara]

My IV instructor had an interesting idea... He took foam noodles (like pool toys), dug a shallow channel in the top, laid down rubber tubing (maybe 1/4 inch), then wrapped swimsuit fabric over it all. The tubing was clamped at one end, connected at the other to a 250cc bag of saline and red food dye. You even got the "flash"!

[blue4thebeach]

Pre-nursing student here... Do students still "practice" on each others' veins for this? This is probably my biggest concern (fear, if you wish) in starting nursing school next year. I'm not thrilled at the thought that the first time a classmate will be attempting this would be on me.

[pennyaline]

I always offer up my veins, nothing like the real thing !!! plus I can coach, and it helps the newbie with confidence

Yeah, I used to do that too. But after a couple of years of MA and nursing students poking at me to practice I.V. starts and blood draws, it became too excruciating and I had to direct them back to the practice arm.