Needles, why'd it have to be needles?

[Peach]

Just having a gross out moment. I learned today (though I kind of suspected) that as a respiratory therapist (the career I'm hopefully going in to) I will be required to draw arterial blood gases. This is a blood sample taken from an artery, not a vein.

I'm going to be required to stick a needle in someone when I can't even watch my own blood being taken without nearly passing out.

Puke, I can handle.
Suctioning someone's tracheostomy tube, I could handle.
Intubating a patient (if necessary), I could handle.

But needles?

Why'd it have to be needles? (said ala Indiana Jones).

I'm going to go have my squick moment and get the heebie jeebies then try not to think about it.

Blech. Needles.

[DanielLane]

I bet you don't have a single tattoo do you?

[Peach]

Two, actually! Small ones; got them to help me get rid of my fear of needles. That didn't happen until 2009 when I suffered a severe pulmonary embolic event and was basically used as a pincushion for 6 months.



But tattoos are entirely different than a "needle" though. And ABGs are done by shoving a needle into someone's artery, which is bigger than a vein. Apparently, the pain feels like breaking your arm, though clinical books describe it as "a burning sensation" (much like I've heard some birth instructor tell preggo women that labor feels like "mild pressure").

I don't wanna shove needles in people! Blech.


Can I close my eyes while I do it, maybe? lmao

[Bruce A]

Looks like someone's had their paws on your . . . . .


You just gotta man up and jab those needles in Peach

[metallion58]

Originally Posted by Peach

I'm going to be required to stick a needle in someone when I can't even watch my own blood being taken without nearly passing out.

Basically, you just have to get into the right frame of mind.
Whenever you have to do this, just look at the needle and tell yourself:
"S**t, better them than me!" and just stick it into them.

[windrider86]

Originally Posted by DanielLane

I bet you don't have a single tattoo do you?

ha ha, thats what my first thought was!

[heronwheels]

I'm a Medical Technologist/Clinical Microbiologist, I remember in college when we had to recruit willing victims to practice blood draws (glad I don't have to do that anymore) the Respiratory Tech students would offer their veins up in exchange for practicing blood gases - they didn't get many takers Needles don't bother me at all, dealing with patients on a daily basis would be a deal breaker! I think as you do it more and more, like everything else, it'll become second nature and you won't even think about it. Good luck on your career path!

[tomservo51]

According to my fiance who is a nurse you should practice on an Orange. It's all about getting the feel down.

[doctorjames]

Practice on people, its much more realistic.

Arterial 'stabs' are actually not to difficult, feel the pulse with a finger, stick the needle in just infront of the finger.... job done if you can visualise in 3D...

oh and check whether your syringes are self filling or if you have to withdraw the plunger to fill.... once when I changed hospital I was on my 3rd or 4th failure before I worked that one out....

[Hill Country Hack]

Originally Posted by doctorjames

Practice on people, its much more realistic.

Arterial 'stabs' are actually not to difficult, feel the pulse with a finger, stick the needle in just infront of the finger.... job done if you can visualise in 3D...

oh and check whether your syringes are self filling or if you have to withdraw the plunger to fill.... once when I changed hospital I was on my 3rd or 4th failure before I worked that one out....

LOL on the 3rd or 4th failure. I was a medical tech in the USAF and had to do many "sticks" venous and arterial. I hated when they would change out equipment.

Peach- Put on your big girl pants and just do it.