Who should a butterfly needle be used on?
Aug 29, 2018 · A butterfly needle is a device used to access a vein for drawing blood or giving medications. Some medical professionals call a butterfly needle a “winged infusion set” or a “scalp vein set ...
What is the advantage of using a butterfly needle?
Feb 24, 2021 · A butterfly needle is a device used to access a vein for withdrawing blood from the veins or giving medications into the vein. It is also called a winged infusion set or scalp vein set. The needle has plastic wings on either side of a hollow needle used to access the vein, …
Can I ask for a butterfly needle?
Nov 01, 2020 · A butterfly needle is a shorter needle with a thinner gauge, ranging from sizes 18 to 27. When measuring gauges, the higher the number, the thinner the diameter, making …
Can a butterfly needle be used for an IV?
A butterfly needle is a device used to access a vein for drawing blood or giving medications. Some medical professionals call a butterfly needle a “winged infusion set” or a “scalp vein …
Why would you use a butterfly needle?
Is a butterfly needle less painful?
In which patient condition should butterfly procedure be used?
Why should overuse of butterfly needles be avoided?
What is the smallest needle to draw blood?
Can butterfly needles be reused?
Can you use a butterfly needle to inject?
How do you insert a butterfly needle infusion?
- To hold the needle, grasp the plastic “wings” between your thumb and first finger.
- Hold the needle with the hole (the bevel) facing up and the sharp point down. ...
- Always enter the vein with the needle pointing toward the heart.
- Pierce the skin first at a 45 degree angle. ...
- Enter the vein with a quick sure stick.
Why am I so scared of getting my blood drawn?
What size needle is used for blood?
21g needles are the most common gauge of needles used for routine blood draws and venipuncture. The gauge is small enough in which it does not cause any significant pain or discomfort during use. For most patients, their veins are of a size and stability that is best suited for the 21g needle.
How many times can you stick a vein?
What is a butterfly needle?
Also called a winged infusion set or scalp vein set, a butterfly needle consists of a very thin hypodermic needle, two flexible "wings," a flexible transparent tubing, and a connector. The connector can be attached to a vacuum tube or collection bag to draw blood or to tubing from an infusion pump or IV bag to deliver fluids or medications.
Why do butterfly needles have shallow angles?
Because of their small size (far smaller than an intravenous catheter) and shallow-angle design, butterfly needles can access superficial veins near the surface of the skin. 2 This not only makes them less painful to use, but allows them to access veins that are small or narrow, such as those in infants or the elderly.
What gauge needle is used for insulin?
By way of illustration, a 27-gauge needle is the size commonly used for insulin injections. Smaller gauge needles are used if an injectable fluid is thick or if blood is being collected for transfusion. Most butterfly needles are no more than three-quarters of an inch (19 millimeters).
What happens if you use the wrong needle size?
Even for a routine blood draw, the wrong needle size can result in blockage and the need for a second draw if a large quantity of blood is needed.
What is a butterfly needle?
A butterfly needle is used by a medical professional to draw your blood from the vein or access a vein to give intravenous (IV) medications. It may be used to give infusion up to 100 mL saline in a child or an old person. An IV catheter is also used instead of butterfly catheters if the volume of fluid needed is more than 500 mL.
What is venipuncture in phlebotomy?
Venipuncture. A venipuncture is when a phlebotomist accesses a vein to draw blood. A phlebotomist is a medical professional who specializes in drawing blood. Butterfly needles are useful to perform difficult venipunctures, such as on older adults, babies, children, or noncooperative patients.
What is an IV catheter?
An IV catheter is also used instead of butterfly catheters if the volume of fluid needed is more than 500 mL. It has a retractable needle that’s inside a protective sheath. The needle is inserted into the vein; the needle is removed, and the sheath or catheter is left in the vein. Whereas, with a butterfly needle, ...
What is a scalp vein set?
It is also called a winged infusion set or scalp vein set. The needle has plastic wings on either side of a hollow needle used to access the vein, resembling the wings of a butterfly, and hence the name.
What is a Butterfly Needle and What is it Used For?
A butterfly needle is a shorter needle with a thinner gauge, ranging from sizes 18 to 27. When measuring gauges, the higher the number, the thinner the diameter, making butterfly needles one of the thinnest needles for phlebotomists to use. Typically, 21 or 23 gauge are used for blood draws.
Butterfly Needle Safety Devices
There are two main types of butterfly needles: standard safety devices and push button safety devices.
What Patients Can You Use a Butterfly Needle On
Butterfly needles are not intended for everyone. The higher gauge and thinner diameter is meant to help patients whose veins are most susceptible to damage. The most common patients that utilize butterfly needles are infants, children, and the elderly.
Butterfly Needle Advantages and Disadvantages
The butterfly needle has several benefits, with the most prominent being its ability to help populations with superficial, sensitive, or smaller veins. With its thinner needle, patients often experience less pain from a butterfly needle than a standard needle.
How to Use a Butterfly Needle
When using a butterfly needle, it is critical to follow the proper steps to avoid hemolysis, nerve damage, or patient discomfort. Follow the steps below for a safe procedure:
PhlebotomyU CPT-1 Course
At PhlebotomyU, we are committed to providing our phlebotomy students a hands-on, engaging education. Our nationally accredited Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT-1) course gives students over 200 hours of training and experience with all needle types, including butterfly needles.
What is a butterfly needle?
Butterfly needles, which are also known as a winged infusion set or a scalp vein set, are commonly used on babies, young children, and the elderly in order to draw blood or to administer medication using an IV. Here’s what you need to know about butterfly needles, including when to use them and why they’re used.
What is the best needle for blood draw?
A larger needle, such as a 21G, is best used for drawing blood as the needle is a little thicker and allows more blood to be collected quicker. Since butterfly needles are often less painful than straight needles, you may encounter patients who specifically ask you to use a butterfly needle.
What is a butterfly needle?
A common piece of equipment used by phlebotomists are butterfly needles, also known as a winged infusion set. This type of needle is smaller in comparison to your average hub and needle in terms of overall size and its gauges. Each healthcare facility a phlebotomist may work at can have varying views on the practicality of the use ...
Can you use a butterfly needle in phlebotomy school?
As you go through phleboto my school and careers, your opinions on butterfly needle use may vary. At the end of the day, the use of a butterfly depends on the type of blood work phlebotomists conduct, the institution you work for, and how costly it may be .
What Butterfly Needles Are Used For
Types
- While all butterfly needles are similarly designed, there are variations. Butterfly needles are measured in gauges and typically range in size from 18-gauge to 27-gauge. The higher the gauge, the smaller the needle. By way of illustration, a 27-gauge needle is the size commonly used for insulin injections. Smaller gauge needles are used if an injectable fluid is thick or if blood is bein…
How Butterfly Needles Are Used
- During venipuncture (the insertion of a needle into a vein), a phlebotomist or nurse will hold the butterfly needle by its wings between the thumb and index finger. Because the hypodermic needle is short and the grasp is close to the needle, the butterfly needle can be placed more accurately than a straight needle, which can often roll or wiggle in the fingers.1 The short, thin needle is ins…
Advantages
- Because of their small size (far smaller than an intravenous catheter) and shallow-angle design, butterfly needles can access superficial veins near the surface of the skin.2This not only makes them less painful to use, but allows them to access veins that are small or narrow, such as those in infants or the elderly. Butterfly needles are ideal for people with small or spastic (rolling) veins…
Disadvantages
- With that being said, butterfly needles are not for everyone. Because of their small needle size, blood collection tends to be slower. This can be problematic at a blood bank if a person is squeamish or in urgent situations where blood is needed quickly. In cases like these, the selection of the needle size is key. Even for a routine blood draw, the wrong needle size can result in block…
Summary
- Butterfly needles can be a useful way to draw blood or to give IV fluids. However, there may be some times that using a different type of needle may be necessary.