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Is Pain At Injection Site A Cause Of Concern?
Question: A nurse tried to five my daughter an IV yesterday but did not seem to get all the air out of the line and when she stuck her blood went every where. Another nurse successfully started the IV on the other arm and my daughter seems fine now just a little soreness in the first arm. Is there anything to worry about.
Brief Answer:
Not a serious concern, please give her first aid and observe
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Not being able to puncture the vein at the first attempt is a common happening and is not a concern unless there is severe pain and discoloration in the arm. I guess your daughter has a little soreness in the first arm and that will get better in the next two days.
The following might help in reducing the pain
1. Applying a hot compress over the sore arm.
2. Gently applying ointment containing pain reliever over the affected region.
3. Taking oral pain relievers like Tylenol after meals.
Should there be bluish discoloration in the sore area then there might be small clots in the punctured vein due to a condition called superficial thrombophlebitis. This is not a serious concern but can lead to pain and discomfort. To treat this please consult a doctor and apply ointment containing anti coagulant like heparin.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Not a serious concern, please give her first aid and observe
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Not being able to puncture the vein at the first attempt is a common happening and is not a concern unless there is severe pain and discoloration in the arm. I guess your daughter has a little soreness in the first arm and that will get better in the next two days.
The following might help in reducing the pain
1. Applying a hot compress over the sore arm.
2. Gently applying ointment containing pain reliever over the affected region.
3. Taking oral pain relievers like Tylenol after meals.
Should there be bluish discoloration in the sore area then there might be small clots in the punctured vein due to a condition called superficial thrombophlebitis. This is not a serious concern but can lead to pain and discomfort. To treat this please consult a doctor and apply ointment containing anti coagulant like heparin.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
should we be concerned about air bubbles in the bloodstream?
Brief Answer:
Not a concern because other arm was used to give the IV
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back after an update.
Air bubbles in the blood stream are less likely to be hazardous for your daughter because the failed vein puncture was abandoned in the first arm and the other arm was used to give the IV. So there was not much force applied such that any significant amount of air would have entered her system through the first arm. Please do not worry.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Not a concern because other arm was used to give the IV
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back after an update.
Air bubbles in the blood stream are less likely to be hazardous for your daughter because the failed vein puncture was abandoned in the first arm and the other arm was used to give the IV. So there was not much force applied such that any significant amount of air would have entered her system through the first arm. Please do not worry.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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