Where do you prefer an IV?

Nurses General Nursing

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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.

For placing IVs my favorite spot is the cephalic vein. It's my go to, first place I look. Although sometimes it can be valvey, especially in older men (I've found).

I have only had one IV placed in my adult life. It was in my AC for conscious sedation during my wisdom teeth extraction. I would never want an IV in my hand. If I am being hospitalized and I need an IV for a longer period of time I guess I'd prefer forearm for all the reasons already mentioned. However, a nurse could pick any location that her heart desired because I have some of the greatest veins of all time (get compliments from every phlebotomist I meet!).

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Specializes in Tele.

Top of the hand SUCKS...to be very unprofessional about it >.<. i had on the side of wrist and it didn hurt at all after was placed. less movement suppose.>

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

Left hand. That's where I always choose. (deliveries, kidney stones, thyroidectomy) I don't think it hurts to get one there and there's a nice vein so it's always a one stick deal =)

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I prefer the back of my hand not painful for me at all.

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Specializes in LTC, med/surg, hospice.

Right forearm please and either a 20 or 22 gauge.

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Specializes in Med Surg.
Forearm. Although depending on your facility policy sometimes for surgical patients the preferred place is the hand.[/quote']

Can I ask why? I work on a post op floor and we don't have this policy.

When I was a patient, I had IVs in the hand and forearm. I've also had a central line in my jugular (years ago). I preferred the forearm. When I'm starting IVs I go for the non dominant forearm if at all possible.

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Specializes in CICU.

When I am starting them, I try to go on the same side as the other PIVs - just love it when the patient looks like a marionette, and it is hard enough to move people with the bedside monitoring, foley, tubes, bells, whistles, etc...

For myself, I'd probably ask for the forearm, no one has ever missed on me... However, I wouldn't make too much of an issue - lets not frustrate or stress the person with the needle... =)

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Specializes in Public Health, L&D, NICU.

Anywhere but my AC. Hand or wrist, please. But I'm a terrible stick, so I will take it wherever I can get it. Last time I had an IV? 7 sticks, first IV was in my hand. But, a doctor placed it, so it didn't last. Let me explain. He could stick, but he could not tape. No loop to allow for some tension, just a couple of pieces slapped on, and then a final piece of tape on my finger. First trip to the bathroom it pulled straight out. I ended up with one in my AC, and I taped it myself. I was desperate by that point, but I hated having it there.

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Anywhere but the AC. Almost every ER nurse does the AC and I hate it. I've had many experiences (frequent kidney stone patient) where the ER nurse doesn't even look anywhere else and just goes for the AC. Then when I get admitted I can't bend my arm to fix my hair or do anything. I work in L&D and I usually go for the hand or the wrist or the forearm. I've never ever done AC and I hope to never have to. It's the worst place!

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Specializes in Care Coordination, MDS, med-surg, Peds.

in a vein!!! LOL... so sorry.... too little sleep, too much coffee. Seriously, tho, I aim for the ones in the forearms before any otherplace....

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Specializes in Peds ED, Peds Stem Cell Transplant, Peds.

Anywhere, they can get it on the first stick. ;)

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Anywhere but the AC. Almost every ER nurse does the AC and I hate it. I've had many experiences (frequent kidney stone patient) where the ER nurse doesn't even look anywhere else and just goes for the AC. Then when I get admitted I can't bend my arm to fix my hair or do anything. I work in L&D and I usually go for the hand or the wrist or the forearm. I've never ever done AC and I hope to never have to. It's the worst place!

So glad I worked L&D first- best lesson learned? Go for the hand. I can get an 18g anywhere in the hand!

Posting from my phone, ease forgive my fat thumbs! :)

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