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A Parent's Guide to Drawing Blood and Starting 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 your child needs 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 child's 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
your child feels during the needle stick
Depending on your child's age we might hold him/her very tightly
using a sheet or a special board 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 you stay in
the room try to turn your child's attention away from the needle
stick (distraction). Here are some suggestions:
- Tell your child a story
- Make funny faces
- Sing or talk softly
- Touch or rub your child's arm or leg
- Say or do something that you do at home to
calm your child
If you decide to leave the room please remember that:
- Someone will be with your child to comfort
them
- You may return right after the needle stick
is done or the IV is started
- You may tell the medical staff what types
of things work to help calm your child.
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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