Site selction

Location Selection:

• • Start with a vein at the most distal site (start looking at hand, then move up the arm)

  • If possible, choose a vein in the non-dominant arm or hand

  • IV's may be placed in the hand, wrist, forearm or antecubital veins

  • Choose a location that will help maintain ambulation and use of assist devices

  • Avoid the side of breast surgery 

  • Avoid arteriovenous fistula or graft

  • Avoid radiation therapy

  • Avoid extremity affected by lymphedema 

  • Avoid extremity affected by stroke

  • Insert catheters away from open wounds

Vein Selection:

• • Like venipuncture, select a vein that you can feel

  • Avoid tortuous veins, choose a straight section

Needle Selection:

• • Select the smallest gauge that will accommodate prescribed therapy

  • 20G to 24G for most infusion therapies

  • Catheters larger than 20G are more likely to cause phlebitis

  • Consider a larger gauge catheter of 14G to 18G for rapid transfusion

  • 16G to 20G for rapid fluid replacement