Just the anatomy of where the veins are. I had this trouble with DS age 9 last week. I found this very informative and helpful! medicowesome: Study: Know your anatomy, so if you can’t see or feel the veins, you still know where to go. Try some of the relaxation techniques mentioned in the article and remember that the person drawing your blood is a trained professional. If your phlebotomy specialist says it is OK to drink water before getting blood drawn, try to drink the … Shari Forschen is a Registered Nurse at Sanford Health in North Dakota. 0.1 cc), the skin and vein will constrict and accessing the vein will become more difficult. Make sure your tourniquet has been applied properly. I think it's not as scary if you don't look at the needle. It’s important to note, though, that some procedures require that you don’t drink water before getting blood drawn. Often times my nurse will find a vein and it will be plumped up and ready to go, but when she puts the needle in the vein … Two examples would be https://www.christiemed.com/products/veinviewer-models/veinviewer-flex or http://www.accuvein.com/products/catalog/. HOWEVER, it is best pra The cephalic vein runs along the radial side of the forearm. Those we can find are so scarred they can hardly be used. When previous blood transfusion or intravenous therapy has been done to a prospective site. ", "I just landed a new phlebotomist job, so this is helpful to brush up on my skills and techniques. If this is not the case, a phlebotomist must use the sense of touch. Pull the needle back a little bit without removing it from the skin. Practice this skill while wearing gloves. The nurse will tell you to open up the fist of the arm they're getting blood from at some point during the drawing, but keep your other fist under that elbow. Obtaining a specimen would be difficult when a phlebotomist has to puncture through scar tissues. Once the tourniquet is on, try agitating the vein a little, you can rub it with an alcohol swab a few times, gently flick with the back of your finger works too. Also, for hard draws, think outside of the arm. Just be sure to avoid such techniques as slapping the patient's skin, since this is considered overly aggressive and unprofessional. Difficult venous cannulation may be related to the small diameter of the vein (as in infants) or to their deep location (as in obese patients) or to poor visibility or palpability due to other factors (oedema, pigmentation, etc.). Life As A Nurse: Venipuncture Techniques THIRTEEN I.V. I am someone with notoriously hard veins to find. Assisting the client into the … Increased functions easily enables clinicians to find hard to find veins… Unless a woman does cardio or is physically active, finding a puncture site may be challenging. You attach the needle device to the tube holder, insert the needle … Infant heel warmers/hand warmers are a miracle for truly difficult draws (if those are available to you). veins bounce back). Verify the direction of the vein with you index finger. I'm really scared. Thanks. Tourniquet: Tying a torniquet often helps by making the vein more swollen and prominent. Next, palpate the arm rather than slap at it, since slapping can give your patient a hematoma. Lynli Thu 22-Jul-10 00:41:59. This article has been viewed 567,589 times. If the patient is a 'hard stick' meaning it is difficult to find a good vein to draw from, you will still … When your blood thickens, it’s harder for the phlebotomy specialist to puncture the vein and draw blood. If you have difficult veins it can be an even tougher process. Wrap it in a thin towel to prevent burns. Portable Vein Finder Viewer by vivolight ( Editors Choice) Features: Image performance optimization … Show Me Programs Obtaining blood samples, either via a venous stick … If it hurts, it is too hot. This preliminary action allows you to safely adjust the... 2. Provides real-time two-dimension image data of veins. I have some … For adult patients, the most common and first choice is the median cubital vein in the antecubital fossa. In order to really learn it, you need to do it, and do it a lot. All the blood in your body is either in your veins, arteries and (the smallest) capillaries which get the blood to your skin. As what I've said, take your time. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? Straighten out the arm that they are taking blood from and stick your other fist under your elbow. I never have a good vein I was a needle user for years is there any hope that a vein or two may come back or be reborn again or am I forever doomed to struggle, Some hand held variations are called "venoscopes", or "vein finders", Phlebotomy Jokes – Humor for Phlebotomists, How To Write A Phlebotomy Cover Letter w Examples, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK138665/#ch2.s30, http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/lymphedema, Venipuncture Procedure and Requirements Explained, https://www.christiemed.com/products/veinviewer-models/veinviewer-flex, http://www.accuvein.com/products/catalog/. When an arm has fistula/cannula/herapin lock. If you have trouble locating a patient's vein, try one of several tricks. A thrombosed vein, on the other hand, feels cord-like, rolls easily and lacks resilience. Use the appropriate of supplies (butterfly, or straight needle). Some of these techniques can be applied for drawing blood too. A day in a life of phlebotomists can go without a hitch. r/phlebotomy. I have watched them used but don't know the name and have been asked many times. Of all invasive medical procedures, venipuncture is the most common and these … ", Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK138665/, https://www.guideline.gov/content.aspx?id=37621, Tirar Sangue de Veias Difíceis de Encontrar, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Then, using the index and second finger, tap the puncture site. By using our site, you agree to our. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Useable veins are just difficult to find, but otherwise can be accessed okay (typically on darker skin tone) My issue is problem #1. Sometimes if I'm stuggling to find a vein or the patient states they are a hard draw, I will ask them where they usually have the best luck, or if they personally know where their best vein is. As a phlebotomist, having a few tricks up your sleeve can make it easy for you: Try locating the vein by tying a tight tourniquet around it first. Change the angle of the needle while it is still under the skin so that it can be inserted into the vein. This will improve the blood flow to their head. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Located in the upper or shoulder side of the arm is the cephalic vein. Many venipunctures are routine, but you may occasionally encounter some difficult veins. If so, you're not alone. Trustworthy Source This makes it easier for the phlebotomist to find your vein. Make sure there is no throbbing under your sight (arteries throb. This will prevent the vein from rolling. 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