International Nurses Association

My shift started at 7 am, and by 8 am, I'd seen 3 patients of varying conditions.  My favorite patient this week is a 91-year-old woman that weighs all of 90 lbs., but is feisty, and tells you just what she is thinking. For instance, as my coworker and I tried to put in a catheter, she proclaimed very sternly, if we tried to put that thing in her we would be sorry. Well, wouldn't you know, as soon as we began to insert the cath, my little friend had what she referred to as, a bad case of the vapors.  We stood up straight to catch our breath and the patient said, told you not to do it.  My next patient was less feisty, but determined he was not going to take his prescribed medication. Of course, it's within his right to refuse, however each time I left the room he would call me back and say he would take it. I'd get it and oh well, he would change his mind again.  The morning went on, I was vomited on, but otherwise things went pretty well...

How many times have you been in the predicament of trying to start an IV on a patient, and it simply is not working? It happens often, and is especially difficult for patients who already have a fear of needles. Reasons For Uncooperative Veins Most often if you have a patient recently admitted, it may be a matter of dehydration.   If they have been ill, and low on fluid intake, it may be enough to cause problems in locating a vein.   Options may be limited,   if   you can't start IV fluids with a properly inserted IV.   Having the patient squeeze their fist and release may help to make a vein visible, however, when dehydration is the issue that does not always work.   So how many sticks are appropriate? 3 maximum, or 2 if the patient is resistant to another try.   There is usually someone else that can take a fresh look and have different results.   Related:   The Top 10 Complaints from Nurses Positioning the IV There is no...