I've always had very small veins and whenever I have to have blood work done, the nurses have trouble. I went in this morning, they tried twice. I went home drank about 5 glasses of water, went back, they tried twice more but with no results. Does anyone have any suggestions to make this easier? Thank you in advance.
2006-12-11 07:54:26 · 4 answers · asked by justine 5 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
I assume they tried with the butterfly needle, make sure you drink your water like you did and ask them to use a blood pressure cuff. Have them pump it up just to where you feel it but not to tight and this should help your vein pump up, it should feel tighter than a tourniquet, make them take their time and feel and ask them to not make a "blind try" make sure they actually feel something before them poke you. ask them do you feel a vein? Also make sure they anchor the vein by using two fingers to hold the vein so it doesn't roll. They can try the hand also but should use the same techniques, minus the cuff just a regular tourniquet. Have them check your wrist area also. If the same person is trying every time you go, ask if someone else can try. If its the same person they may feel just as nervous as you cuz no one likes to miss and put their patient through this. If all else fails ask your doctor to do it, although they may or may not be better at doing this seem usually they have someone do it for them.
2006-12-11 08:25:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
Yes, they should be using a pediatric needle on you. Your veins are probably sliding around. I would also request another person to draw the blood, ask for a phlebotomist, someone specializing in venipuncture. If they have not tried you hand, tell them to use the pediatric needle on your hand. I have gone through this exact problem. You have to insist on telling them where to draw the blood. You know your own body better than they do. What may not appear to be a good spot, can be indeed a good spot. T
2006-12-11 08:01:00 · answer #2 · answered by makeitright 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
My mum always used to have probelms when she needed a blood test, often the best place to get the blood was from a vein on the upper side of her foot...;
2006-12-11 07:57:58 · answer #3 · answered by huggz 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You could try top of your hand or have the nurses use a butterful needle if they haven't already.
2006-12-11 07:59:15 · answer #4 · answered by q_tee262003 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋