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I prefer forearm. That way I can still wash my hands properly and use my arm, and that is usually my first choice for a poke. That being said I would rather the nurse pick a site he or she is comfortable with and will succeed on the first try, and if an AC IV is the price I pay for one poke so be it!
This thought was triggered by the IV size discussion at https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/size-matters-iv-836846.htmlIf you are a patient, where would you prefer an IV to be placed? Personally, I can keep my arm straight if it's my off side, and I am not a fan of hand vein IVs for myself, so an AC for me please.
The only time I've ever had an IV was for a lap chole. It was in my AC. I sleep with my arms bent up above my shoulders. In my zonked state in the PACU, I was ticked off because I couldn't put my arms up this way because of the IV in my LAC and the BP cuff on my RUE. For myself (and my patients) I prefer the forearm when possible.
AC sucks. I had an iv in the AC of my dominant arm and couldn't bend that arm even slightly without pain. I was being admitted for observation and begged my nurse to put one in somewhere else and bless her, she did. Forearm is great, hand is fine. Had one of the dorsal side of my wrist that was uncomfortable, but AC is the worst.
NurseOnAMotorcycle, ASN, RN
1,066 Posts
This thought was triggered by the IV size discussion at https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/size-matters-iv-836846.html
If you are a patient, where would you prefer an IV to be placed? Personally, I can keep my arm straight if it's my off side, and I am not a fan of hand vein IVs for myself, so an AC for me please.