Performing IV insertion on pediatric patients is undeniably one of the most daunting tasks for the nurses and possibly one of the most traumatic experiences among young patients. As much as nurses want to turn this painful experience into a memorable role-playing game, the mere sight of needles and nurses in white uniforms are enough to scare the hell out these young patients. In addition to their developmental limitations, pediatric patients also pose additional challenges for the nurse/IV therapist just like in the case of patients with fragile veins or edematous tissues. A painless venipuncture is almost impossible to achieve but that doesn’t mean it’s not possible to make the experience of IV insertion among young patients all the more worthwhile. Here are 10 of the most effective ways to make IV insertion in pediatric patients a wonderful experience to keep: 1. Determine the child’s developmental stage Every child achieves a particular developmental milestone for every age range. Hence, a nurse should take into consideration the child’s developmental age because IV insertion site, the size of the catheter to be used as well as the manner on how health information or instruction will be disclosed to the child largely depend on this essential information. 2. Perform venipuncture in a neutral place For a child, the hospital room is his “safe haven” and doing a painful procedure within this place is tantamount to trespassing into his own little world. Every patient has his or her own special needs and in the case of young patients, respect should be put in high regard. As a rule, painful procedures must be done outside the patient’s room or to a specific treatment room assigned for this purpose. 3. Avoid applying restraints as much as possible IV insertion is a traumatizing experience in itself so restraining the child during this procedure will only put the patient’s psychological development in peril. For this reason, using strict restraining procedures to control the patient’s bodily movements should not be allowed and if it is considered necessary, using less invasive restraining procedures like the “hug technique” with the help of the parents will provide more warmth and additional emotional support to the young patient. 4. Use creative forms of distraction There are a variety of ways by which a nurse can use to provide distraction to a child who is about to undergo IV insertion. According to experts, letting the patient blow bubbles, sing or count as the IV insertion procedure progresses have been found effective especially for preschool or school-age children. In the U.S., use of iPads as a distraction tool has gained a lot of praises from a lot of nurses around the country. As a matter of fact, in 2009, Child Life Services began using two iPads in a trial run. The computers are now used by the department for: Preparation: Patients and families learn online about the procedure to come, and they can reference a pictorial roster of child life specialists to familiarize themselves with a new face if they’re about to go to a new unit. Distraction: the patient can play games on the computer during an IV insertion. Education: the Child Life specialist can help access customized diagnosis information for the patient and family. 5. Use a tourniquet appropriate for the size of your patient Dilating the veins of a pediatric patient might become an overwhelming task for any nurse but Nurse Ann Marie Frey has given the following advice: To dilate veins in children, use a tourniquet appropriate for the size of your patient and position it several inches above the intended site. to place a device in a scalp vein, a rubber band with a tape tab, placed above the eyes and ears, is an easily removable tourniquet. make sure the tourniquet isn’t too tight or on too long, indicated by red or purplish skin. you should be able to distend veins but still feel a pulse. to ease the discomfort of the tourniquet, you can tie it over a sleeve or a gauze 4×4. in some cases, especially with premature neonates, you’ll be able to see or feel veins well enough to access them without using a tourniquet. 6. Choose age-appropriate IV sites Choosing the best site for IV insertion among pediatric patients can be a lot more taxing than the actual insertion procedure but here are some important reminders to do it successfully: Scalp veins are easy to access and most appropriate in neonates; an older infant might dislodge a device placed there. Hand and foot veins are appropriate for children of all ages, but try to use foot veins only in children who aren’t walking yet. if possible, try not to choose a vein in a child’s dominant hand or the hand she favors for thumb su1cking. Digital veins are useful in toddlers and older children if other sites aren’t accessible, but they infiltrate easily because the site is difficult to immobilize in an active child. The forearm or upper arm is suitable for all children, but veins there may be harder to access, especially in infants and toddlers, where veins may hide under subcutaneous fat. arm sites allow for larger-sized catheters and hand mobility. Antecubital sites (cephalic, basilic, or median cubital vein) are suitable for all children and are easy to locate in infants. but these sites are uncomfortable and require immobilizing the elbow. because this site is also used for phlebotomy and peripherally inserted central catheter placement, it shouldn’t be your first choice. 7. Let the parents be with their child For some young patients–especially those who are 7 years old and below–the presence of a parent is a major support mechanism that can significantly reduce their anxiety. Older children should also have the option to let their parent be on their side during the procedure to provide additional support. For this reason, nurses should never disregard the parent’s participation in this painful procedure. 8. Don’t give false expectations Proving false assurance is never considered as a therapeutic communication technique for psychiatric patients and the same goes for pediatric patients who are about to undergo IV insertion. The younger the child, the less amount of information you have to give immediately before the procedure. Never tell a young patient that venipuncture won’t hurt or it will only take 2 seconds to complete when it’s actually not. Be honest and try to use a logical way to set the patient’s expectations. 9. Choose the smallest gauge catheter According to expert nurse practitioners, a nurse should choose the smallest-gauge catheter (24 or 22) in the shortest length to allow hemodilution of infusates by blood flow around the catheter. In neonates, administer I.V. fluids and medications, blood, and blood products via a 24-gauge I.V. device. In older children, a 24- or 22-gauge catheter works without increasing the risk of hemolysis. 10. Protect the IV site to prevent dislodgement Pediatric patients are naturally curious and active even during times of hospitalization, further increasing the chances for the IV tubes to be dislodged from the veins. This is the reason why transparent protective devices or stockinette bandages are being advised to be used for this particular group of patients. If the IV insertion site is near a joint, use of arm board with adequate pads are also recommended. IV insertion in pediatric patients can be quite challenging especially for the newbies but with the right practice and with the use of the 10 tips mentioned above, mastery of this procedure will never be out of reach anymore. Nursing is an art so we have to strive further to make every nursing procedure a pleasant experience for both the nurses and the patients that we care for. Source
