What does it mean if a nurse has a hard time finding a vein?

Question

the nurses would put a iv in me but than i would start to swell up

Answer 1

In response to coffe, many nurses (but not all) are very capable to start IVs, as are many doctors (but not all of them). Ask any ER nurse, OB nurse, critical care nurse, or nurse anesthetist. As a critical care nurse, I was called to other floors on several occasions to start IVs when others had difficulty. Sometimes it is hard to start an IV if someone is dehydrated, they have lots of valves in their veins, or if they have tough skin. Sometimes the connective tissue holding the vein in place isn't very strong, so the vein "rolls" away at the last minute and you end up puncturing the vein without starting the IV. This can cause swelling and a bruise. As others have said, veins can be very fragile and "blow" easily, despite the best technique. Next time you need an IV, you can ask for a small amount of local anesthetic at the site, by way of a small injection or with EMLA cream (a numbing cream). I'm sorry you had such a bad experience, and I hope the next time you ever need an IV, things go better.

Answer 2

Sometimes when patients are dehydrated, their veins are hard to find. If the veins are damaged from other reasons, they can "blow". This means the vein has ruptured in the area of the needlestick. You will get a bruise and if the vein is receiving IV fluids, it will swell up because the fluids are going into the tissues surrounding the vein instead of in the vein, or it is leaking out. Placing a warm moist pack over the site will help the swelling go away. If you are receiving IV fluids and notice pain at the insertion site or swelling or discoloration, call for the nurse right away to stop the infusion. If the fluids are necessary, they will have to stick another IV in another site and restart the fluids.

Answer 3

I'm an anesthesiologist, and start zillions of i.v.'s (I did 11 this morning)

Veins can be fairly fragile vessels. They have valves in them to prevent the blood from flowing backward, and sometimes these can mess up an i.v. start. If the needle or plastic catheter pokes through the other side of the vein, it can become infiltrated, and the iv fluid leaks outside of the vein. (which doesn't hurt you at all - your body absorbs it)

If you are dehydrated at all, it makes starting an iv extremely difficult. If you are obese, dark-skinned, elderly, or have a history of iv drug abuse, an iv can be quite difficult to start.

Also, there is the possibility that the nurse could be inexperienced, or having a bad day.

I'd avoid butterfly needles for iv's, because they are needles (fine for blood draws, but not iv's) not soft plastic catheters. The needle has a high chance of ripping the vein if you leave it in, and they really aren't any easier to put in than a regular iv catheter.

Hope that answers your question!

Answer 4

I would think that if you began swelling up, either you are allergic to something that was used or the nurse didn't get the IV in the vein. If you were dehydrated, your veins would be hard to find.

Answer 5

veins could be small or the muscle in the wall of the vein is soft, vein could be deep or simple you just are a hard patient to find veins on. Try exercising before going in next time.

Answer 6

It means you need to ask for an experienced nurse. Not all of them are any good at IVs.

Answer 7

vein is small maybe need a butterfly needle its much smaller than the other needles

Answer 8

That the nurses are retarded.