Table of Contents
Why is it so hard to draw blood from my veins?
Your veins contain much of the fluids in your body, so if you haven’t had much to drink the day of your draw, those little fluid filled vessels will not be as easy to access and are more likely to collapse flat when a needle is inserted.
Should veins be hard?
Pain and swelling develop rapidly in the area of inflammation. The skin over the vein becomes red, and the area feels warm and is very tender. Because blood in the vein is clotted, the vein feels like a hard cord under the skin, not soft like a normal or varicose vein. The vein may feel hard along its entire length.
How can I make my veins better for IV?
Take a hot shower or bath before the infusion. Gently massage the area over the chosen site. Do not slap the skin to help raise the vein—you may see it on TV, but it doesn’t work. Do some short, vigorous exercise, such as push-ups or jumping jacks.
Why are my veins hard?
If you are noticing that your veins feel hard to the touch, this is an indication that the blood pressure within the vein is greatly elevated. It is likely that you are experiencing partial or complete blood clotting in these veins (phlebitis) as well.
Why would my veins be hard?
What if you can’t find veins on a patient?
What if you can’t find veins on a patient, yet you need to start an IV, draw blood, or perform other venipuncture procedures? This happens more often than you’d think, and even seasoned nurses struggle to find veins in patients who are obese, dehydrated, or suffering from advanced renal or heart disease.
Why is it so hard to get blood out of veins?
Dehydration makes the veins shrink so make sure you drink plenty before having the bloods taken (provided they haven’t told you not to drink beforehand). It has always been difficult getting blood out of me.
What makes a vein puncture so difficult?
Obviously dehydration or low blood pressure can make vein puncture extremly difficult, especially if someone is usually difficult in the first place.
Which veins are the most difficult to draw blood from?
Similar to the top two choices, the basilic vein is on the medial side of the arm. Drawing blood from this area does pose a greater likelihood of the vein rolling or collapsing because it is difficult to anchor. This vein is also closer to the artery and nerve which makes it more challenging to draw from.