venous stick for PKU????

[rn4babies63]

When at work today, I noticed that one of the babies I was caring for had 2 bruises on it's hand with what appeared to be a puncture mark at each end (Like an attempted IV start). Knowing that this baby had no reason to have an IV attempt, I brought it to my NM's attention. She stated that some of the nurses are now doing venous sticks to obtain the blood for PKU's and that this also gives them some practice in case they need to start an IV on a baby. I was flabbergasted! In all my years of OB nursing, we have always done heelsticks for PKU's. Does anyone else do venous sticks? It seems pretty invasive, not to mention cruel! Does anyone else do PKU's this way? Just curious...

[PICNICRN, BSN, RN]

You can use capillary, venous, or arterial blood for PKU. Maybe the baby needed labs in addition to the PKU like a bili or retic ? As for venous vs capillary..... isn't a stick a stick? If you get your sample on the first attempt that is.

[texas2007, BSN, RN]

In the nicu, we get what we can. If I have a lot of labs to do at the same time, I personally prefer art sticks but some nurses like venous sticks too. Plus, sometimes those big fat kids don't bleed too well with heel-sticks. Sometimes I have to poke them more than once just to get a lab, sometimes not.

[NeoNurseTX, RN]

In the nicu, we get what we can. If I have a lot of labs to do at the same time, I personally prefer art sticks but some nurses like venous sticks too. Plus, sometimes those big fat kids don't bleed too well with heel-sticks. Sometimes I have to poke them more than once just to get a lab, sometimes not.

And squeeze...kids seem to freak out less with venous sticks.

[november17, ASN, RN]

And squeeze...kids seem to freak out less with venous sticks.

Give em a sucker too, they fall for that trick every time.

[rn4babies63]

You can use capillary, venous, or arterial blood for PKU. Maybe the baby needed labs in addition to the PKU like a bili or retic ? As for venous vs capillary..... isn't a stick a stick? If you get your sample on the first attempt that is.

I was told the reason for the venous stick was for practice for IV's.

[racing-mom4, BSN, RN]

I was told the reason for the venous stick was for practice for IV's.

Our hosp does the exact same thing for the same reason, for practice. God forbid you need to start a stat IV for a reason and you will be glad you had the practice. Go ahead ask the babe the next day, they dont remember!!

[texas2007, BSN, RN]

Our hosp does the exact same thing for the same reason, for practice. God forbid you need to start a stat IV for a reason and you will be glad you had the practice. Go ahead ask the babe the next day, they dont remember!!

Hmm hitting a vein and getting blood back is a lot easier than starting an IV. Can't tell you how many times I've hit something and been unable to advance the catheter, or the vein blows etc. I hate starting PIV's!

[SteveNNP, MSN, NP]

If my baby needs a full set of labs, and already has venous access somewhere, I'll usually do a venous stick. It gives you the most blood, along with more accurate electrolyte levels. CBCs clot less often, too. Newborn screens can be run off of any type of accessed blood.

IMHO, one stick sans squeezing is less traumatic than 1+ sticks on the heel and a whole lot of squeezing to fill those 5 circles.

[NeoNurseTX, RN]

Give em a sucker too, they fall for that trick every time.

Well, sucrose in my case. Suckers don't go over too well on babies!

[NeoNurseTX, RN]

IMHO, one stick sans squeezing is less traumatic than 1+ sticks on the heel and a whole lot of squeezing to fill those 5 circles.

I am not a fan of whomever invented PKU paper. Oh how I wish we could just send em a vial of blood!

[PICNICRN, BSN, RN]

"IMHO, one stick sans squeezing is less traumatic than 1+ sticks on the heel and a whole lot of squeezing to fill those 5 circles."

DITTO!!