Distension tricks: make the vein come to you

Question 1What is the first step when the veins look small and flat?

1. aChoose the largest artery instead
2. bUse the deepest vein available
3. cOptimise the limb with a tourniquet, a dependent arm, warmth and hand movements, then rescan
4. dPress harder with the probe

Question 2Why lower the arm below heart level?

1. aIt makes the artery collapse
2. bGravity helps the veins fill
3. cIt lowers the blood pressure
4. dIt removes the need for a tourniquet

Question 3What should you do with the tourniquet once the cannula is in?

1. aLeave it for the first blood sample only
2. bLeave it until the first infusion is finished
3. cRelease it straight away
4. dTighten it to hold the cannula

Question 4You will use the same cannula for a potassium sample. What do you advise about the hand?

1. aPump the fist continuously
2. bKeep the fist clenched for the whole sample
3. cSqueeze and relax a few times without repeated pumping
4. dAvoid any hand movement at all