A nurse must do a venipuncture on a 6-year-old child. What is an important consideration in providing atraumatic care?
A) Use an 18-gauge needle if possible.
B) If not successful after four attempts, have another nurse try.
C) Restrain the child only as needed to perform venipuncture safely.
D) Show the child equipment to be used before the procedure.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Restrain the child only as needed to perform the procedure safely; use therapeutic hugging. Use the smallest-gauge needle that permits free flow of blood. A two-try-only policy is desirable, in which two operators each have only two attempts. If insertion is not successful after four punctures, alternative venous access should be considered. Keep all equipment out of sight until used.

A Nurse Must Do a Venipuncture on a 6-Year-Old Child