Hard to Find Veins Blood Draw, IVs, Venipuncture - Nursing, Phlebotomy

Do you have trouble finding veins when drawing blood, starting IVs, or other venipuncture procedures? If so, you're not alone. Many professionals (working in phlebotomy or nursing) struggle with finding veins in many patients or can't find veins at all.

This video is mainly geared towards how to find hard veins for IV ACCESS. Some of these techniques can be applied for drawing blood too. HOWEVER, it is best practice NOT to have the patient pump the fist for BLOOD DRAWS because it can alter results.

Veins can be especially hard to find when patients are obese, dehydrated, or suffering from advanced cardiac or renal disease.

Luckily, there are some solutions that can help you find those difficult veins.

First, you have to learn to palpate the arm to learn what a vein feels like. Oftentimes, I will find a vein by touch, not sight. I'd recommend practicing on your own arm (or someone with great veins) to learn how this feels.

Second, you have to take advantage of tourniquets and hand pumping. Apply the tourniquet and instruct the patient to hold their arm to the side while pumping their fist. This helps those hidden veins become engorged. Sometimes you can't use this technique, though, especially in cases where blood is being drawn for sensitive lab work, but it can help in other cases.

Those two tips above have helped me find veins in most patients who don't have visible veins. Nevertheless, even those tips don't work in all cases.

If you still can't find a vein, you have a few other solutions. You might be able to use a vein finder or vein light tool. Some use bright lights to illuminate the skin, whereas others will use infrared to display vein locations.

In addition, I've consulted with the ultrasound techs, and I've been able to find veins that way.

And finally, you always have a central line option if nothing else works.

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[RegisteredNurseRN]

Hey, everyone! This video is mainly geared towards how to find hard veins for IV ACCESS. Some of these techniques can be applied for drawing blood too. HOWEVER, it is best practice NOT to have the patient pump the fist for BLOOD DRAWS because it can alter results.

[daniellefryman]

When i was learning about veins my trainer said to close my eyes and feel. Never to rely on your eyes always always feel. Because of that training I rarely miss. Know what veins feel like by touch. Best advice ever

[staceyarey]

Thank you for this video! I've been a nurse in a skilled nursing facility for 6 months, and venipuncture has been my absolute nemesis.. yesterday I just wanted to quit nursing because I felt like a complete failure when I stuck two different patients three times each and failed to draw blood.. I know there are some nurses who don't even try, but I feel like this is a critical portion of my job and I must overcome this inability.. thank you for these tips so I can implement them the next time I make that great battle!

[RM.]

Thank you Sarah so much! Because of you, I passed my nursing school and NCLEX this week! I am a nurse because of your help!

[jodiealexander]

I have been an RN for 20 years but can always learn more. Your videos are amazing!!! Thank you.

[darkestpriestess]

Sarah, you are an amazing nurse and an inspiration to me. I'm a nursing student working on a BSN degree. I keep you in my thoughts as a source of strength. Your videos are wonderful and very professional. Thank you for helping future nurses with your expansive knowledge and understanding of the nursing profession! Your spirit is lovely! Respectfully, Lilia

[robpolaris]

I spent 6 years in a hospital after a near death incident. I kept getting staph infections so they replaced my iv every 3 days. I was on TPN for 10 months and that ripped thru a bunch of central, sub clavian and a hickmans?
I have many scars from all the ivs over and over. Arms, legs, feet, hands, chest and my neck. The first year you could see veins on my arms. Now I only end up in the hospital about once a year or two and it takes about 5 tries. Once it took 17 tries.
Love your accent. I spent time in AL, MS & TN. If I had to guess I'd say Alabama.

[milanroemer]

Hi, great video and I might add some: After applying the tourniquet, ask the patient to relax the arm. Then bend his arm around 60 degrees, you can often feel deeper veins at one point. And they are with the bounciness and rubber feeling well to identify. When extending the arm slowly, with the finger on the vein, you can feel where the vein is going-sometimes disappearing beside the tendon. Not always working, but often. Last resort is the jugularis externa on the neck: Lying down flat, head to the left or right side and looking, if patient can and no medical risk, holding breath a second, the jugularis will appear, even in short necks. But careful and stay superficial.

[janicecrose]

Sarah, you are certainly an inspiration to me! I'm not in medical field...just a patient. I've Never had trouble getting blood drawn in a lab. Few days ago, I was turned away as a staff person could not find a vein in my arm. Now I know she didn't even use a turnicut, or have me pump my hands. Thanks! Thought I was a dead man walking.😀

[vicconn]

I’m a home infusion nurse - I use a warm compress to help dilate the vein

[lucycastaneda]

This is so helpful! I usually get discouraged when I can't find veins on a patient but this helped a lot ❤

[kelly-dlzp]

Thank you! You have helped me sooo much. I have watched you through nursing school, through NCLEX, and now I’m a baby nurse and feel so lost! Coming back to you is so comforting and your info helps soo much 🤗

[kyambaddesamuel]

studying medical lab technology... this was surely helpful... thank you!

[Cheenee]

I am a first year Medical Technology student and I hope to successfully learn how to perform phlebotomy this semester. Thank you for all your tips! ❤️ ❤️❤️

[m.e.d.]

These vids are very helpful for sure but the only way you get better at IV's is to do them continually and often. It is a skill. Practice makes perfect and use it or lose it.

[CupOfTae_SugaKookies_Sprite]

I have no interest in the medical field, but I got my blood drawn yesterday and I came here just to browse lol but I always found it incredible how the nurses could feel for a vein they couldn't see, and then after they clean the area and prep the needle and go to insert it in my arm they remember exactly where it was and get it on the first go! I could probably find a vein but no way I'm gonna remember where it was lol

[musunguronald]

Thanks a lot Sarah for the very educative tutorials. Forever grateful.

[jeremywheeler]

I never knew id be shooting blind until I went to school to be a phlebotomist. Thanks for your videos.

[sydneytamrak]

This was so helpful! I’m currently a student working on my BSN and I just got a job as a tech where I’m doing new skills such as drawing blood and I haven’t learned it in school yet. I was certified at a quick course at the hospital stating that I was able to take blood, but it was never really that helpful. Practicing on a silicone arm is way different than the real thing. This was so helpful. Thank you so much.

[Nurse_Xochitl]

This actually works. I use these tricks all the time and it helps a lot. Also, practice is helpful if you need it. I didn't need much but it just depends on your ability. Some people just seem to be naturally good at finding veins, I seem to be one of them. Also it helps if your patient is calm. If they're afraid, try to comfort them a bit.