One of the important things to know when starting an IV is the right size to use.The needles are dimensioned by meters and the less gaugenumber, the larger the needle.In this article and video I will discuss the three most common IV meter, you will come across as a nurse: 18 Gauge, 20 Gauge and 22 Gauge.
As a new nurse it might find it difficult to recognize the different sizes.Moreover, most manufacturers color their IV -needles.Here is a small rhyme that you can use to help you remember which colors are equivalent to which size meter: 22 blue is and 18 is green.Pink is in the middle.
There are other IV metmaths behind it, although they do not occur so often.There is a size 24 -Gauge that is most used for pediatrics because of the small size.There are also 16 gauge needles that are mainly used for icu or surgery.
Nevertheless, 18, 20 and 22 Gauge are the size that you will most often encounter in most nursing places.
The importance of choosing the right meter
The reason that it is important to use the right meter is because some nursing procedures can only be performed with a certain needle.For example, if you have a patient who has to let his or her blood draw, you go with a meter that is large enough to do this.Or you can eventually return them with the right size meter.This can cause the frustration and pain of the patient.
Therefore, when you start an IV on a patient, you wonder what kind of procedures your patient will have while you are in your care.Here are a common use of the different meter, generally seen.(Note: Always follow the protocols led by your employer or nursing board when choosing the size size).
- 16 gauge: This size is usually used in ICU or surgical areas.This large size makes it possible to perform many different procedures, such as blood administration, rapid liquid management, etc.
- 18 gauge: With this size you can perform most tasks that 16 gauge can.Some of the common applications include administration of blood, push fluids quickly, etc. You can use this for CT PE protocols or other tests that require large IV -siz.
- 20 gauge: You may push blood* through this size if you cannot use 18 -Gauge, but always check the protocol of your employer.This size is better for patients with smaller veins.
- 22 gauge: This small size is good at when the patient does not need IV -long and is not criticalAs a ruleUnable to manage blood* because of the small size, but some hospital protocols ensure 22 g use if necessary.
- 24 gauge: This size is used for pediatrics and is usually only used as a last resort such as IV in the adult population.
*Always contact your hospital protocol blood product administration.Most hospital protocols outlines for you which meter from IV needles you can use for blood products.And may not be able to require a central line.Always contact the policy of your organization.
To prevent a needle, a nurse needle, spoke a story
IV's technology in nursing today
IV -Design has taken a long way since the early days.One of the most useful characteristics of IVs Today is the possibility to withdraw the needle when IV is deployed in the vein.Many people, especially patients, assume that needles remain in the arm.The factor is the cannula the only part that stays in the arm and the needle of IV is withdrawn and removed when it is successfully used.
The extendable need magazine function that is found on musts can be drastically reduced drastically.Many nurses are infected with severe or even fatal diseases of needle sticks.
When I was at the nursing school, a clinical instructor USA True Story of a woman who lost her life through a needle."Are there some.
A prisoner had a particularly violent character and he succeeded in grabbing IV after a nurse who stayed on his body.
That is why the extremely needle function in most IVs can nowadays help to reduce the risk of unintended (or deliberate) needle sticks.
Video of IV -Monters
The video below shows an example of the regular IV meter size that you want to use in most nursing settings:
FAQs
20 Gauge: You may be able to push blood* through this size if you can't use an 18 gauge, but always check your employer's protocol. This size is better for patients with smaller veins. 22 Gauge: This small size is good for when patient's won't need an IV long and aren't critically ill.
What is the difference between 18 and 22 gauge needle? ›
The needle gauge measures the needle diameter—the lower the gauge number, the wider the needle size will be. For example, An 18G needle will be wider than a 21G needle. A 22G needle is a smaller gauge needle size, making it perfect for use with healthy IV patients, who aren't suffering from any dangerous illnesses.
What are 22 gauge needles used for? ›
22 Gauge Needles
Depending on the facility, 22g needles are occasionally utilized for routine blood draws. The slightly smaller size may assist the phlebotomist with slightly smaller veins they may encounter on older children or adult patients.
What is a 20 gauge IV needle used for? ›
20 gauge IV needles are used for IV treatment and infusion therapy. Since they're a little smaller than 16 and 18 gauge, they're commonly used with patients who have smaller veins. They can be used for delivering blood, fluids, and medicines into the body.
What is an 18 gauge IV used for? ›
18 Gauges. This gauge size comes with a 1.3-mm-wide needle, and its uses are almost identical to a 16-gauge IV. An 18-gauge needle can rapidly administer blood and push fluids. Additionally, these IVs are utilized for CT PE protocols and comparable imaging tests.
What is bigger, a 20 or 18 gauge needle? ›
The gauge (abbreviated as “G”) of a needle refers to the size of the hole in the needle. The higher the gauge, the smaller the hole. Needles come in various gauges and lengths. The length of a needle is listed after the gauge number.
Which needle is smaller 20 or 22? ›
Needle Gauge Chart
| Gauge Number | Needle Nominal O.D. (mm) | Needle Dead Volume (µL/25.4 mm) |
|---|
| 22 gauge needle | 0.718 | 3.403 µL/25.4 mm |
| 21 gauge needle | 0.819 | 5.271 µL/25.4 mm |
| 20 gauge needle | 0.908 | 7.255 µL/25.4 mm |
| 19 gauge needle | 1.067 | 9.389 µL/25.4 mm |
26 more rowsIntramuscular (IM) injections
Needle length is usually 1"–1½", 22–25 gauge, but a longer or shorter needle may be needed depending on the patient's weight. Note: An alternate site for IM injection in adults is the anterolateral thigh muscle.
Which is bigger 20 gauge or 22 gauge? ›
Assuming you are talking about wire size or sheet metal thickness, the 22 gauge is thicker. The bigger gauge numbers are smaller wire or metal thickness.
What gauge needle to use for IV? ›
For an adult, I always choose a 22- or 20-gauge catheter. I'd use an 18-gauge or larger catheter only in cases of severe trauma, where patients need extremely large volumes at rapid flow rates, and in surgery patients when the anesthesia personnel specify an 18-gauge catheter.
There are 3 main types of IV cannulas, namely: peripheral IV Cannula, central line IV cannula and mid-line IV cannula. The central line intravenous cannulas are used for long term treatments, followed by midline cannulas used in less invasive scenarios.
Can you give blood through a 22g? ›
20–22 gauge for routine transfusions in adults. 16–18 gauge for rapid transfusions in adults. In adult patients with fragile or difficult veins, a smaller gauge can be used, but may restrict the flow rate. 22–25 gauge is recommended for pediatrics.
Can you inject with a 20 gauge needle? ›
Intramuscular injections go directly into a muscle. 4 Since muscle is deeper than the skin, the needle used for these shots has to be thicker and longer. Needles with a gauge of 20 or 22 G and a length of 1 or 1.5 inches are usually best for intramuscular injections.
Is 18 gauge IV big? ›
The lower the number the bigger the needle. Hospitals typically use a 20 gauge needle for inserting IV catheters. An 18 gauge is bigger and is usually used for donating plasma or blood. It isn't something that stays in a vein for very long.
What does a 22 gauge needle look like? ›
A 22-gauge needle looks like a regular needle that can be assembled with most multi-sample needle ETS systems. It may also have a black color code covering to easily tell it apart from other needles of the same length.
Which is bigger, an 18 or 21 gauge needle? ›
The gauge of a needle refers to the inner measurement or the hole in a needle. Typically, needles are available in a variety of different sizes comprising 18, 21, 23,25 and so on. The higher gauge number indicates the smaller hole inside a needle and when the gauge number is lower, the hole is larger.
Does a size 18 needle gauge have a smaller or larger diameter than a size 22 needle gauge? ›
The higher the gauge number, the smaller the outer diameter of the needle (and the thinner it appears).
