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A Kids Guide to Drawing Blood and Staring IVs
What is it?
Drawing blood (venipuncture) is putting a needle into a vein to
take a sample of blood. Starting an IV is putting a tiny tube inside
a vein to give someone fluid (intravenous fluid). All needles are
brand new and are only used one time and then thrown away.
What we do?
If you need blood drawn you may see the doctors and nurses using
things like:
- Alcohol pads or brown soap to clean the
skin
- A big rubber band called a tourniquet, which
is put on your arm or leg so they can find the vein easier. This
may be a little tight and uncomfortable
- A small needle
- Tubes to collect the blood in. Tubes may
have different color tops (when the blood comes out it may look
like a lot but usually it is less than a teaspoon)
- A small IV tube that is left in the arm or
leg when the needle is removed so fluid can get into the vein
- Clear tubing may be attached to the tiny
tube so the bag of fluid can enter the vein
- Things like Numby
Stuff® vapocoolant
spray or EMLA Cream® to help decrease the pain and discomfort
you feel during the needle stick.
- Depending on how old you are we may use a
special board or sheet to hold you very tightly so that the doctors
and nurses can do the needle stick as quick and easy as possible.
Drawing blood and starting an IV can hurt and it may
take the nurse or doctor more than one try to get it.
Why we do it?
We do a venipuncture to test the blood for infection or to see how
your child's body is working. We give IV fluids to replace fluids
your child may have lost from vomiting, diarrhea or fever. There
may be other reasons so ask the staff if you have any questions!!
What you can do to help?
Some parents want to stay in the room during the needle stick and
some parents choose to leave. Either way is OKAY!! If they stay
in the room you might want them to help you turn your attention
away from the needle stick (distraction). Here are some suggestions:
- Talk about family stories
- Look at that person and make faces
- Grab their hand and squeeze as hard as you
can
- If they decide to leave someone will be with
you to comfort and distraction you.
Here are some things that they might do to help you
through the stick:
- Ask about your favorite subject at school
- Ask you to take deep breaths
- Ask you to hold their hand and squeeze as
hard as you can.
MAKE SURE AND LET THEM KNOW WHAT IS MOST
COMFORTABLE FOR YOU!!
For
more information:
PainFree Pediatrics
Boston Medical Center
91 East Concord Street
Maternity Building, 6th Floor
Boston, MA 02118
617-414-7899 (phone)
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