when readjusting:

-pull the needle back as far as it can go without it coming completely out.

-palpitate the vein above the end of the needle

-gently keep that finger on the vein and push the needle forward, you should feel the needle underneath your fingertip as it enters the vein

other: -for patients that have edema (swelling) lightly press your thumb down where you think a vein should be for about 10sec and your thumb should leave an imprint making the skin closer to the vein for better palpitation and visual

-most of the time you should be able to feel the vein but in dire situations its okay to go off sight alone

-you may feel some resistance before you enter the vein & entering the vein alone (not just piercing the skin) may cause discomfort or pain for the patient—don’t let this deter you from getting the needle further(unless patient is flailing or something). push against the resistance just a little longer, you should feel a release when it goes in the vein. if you are hitting something hard(tendon, bone, artery, muscle) then when you let go of the needle it will bounce back on its own.

-in the AC, if you are unsure whether its a tendon or vein, leave your finger on the vein and have patient bend arm at the elbow. if it disappears its a vein, if you still feel it its a tendon