Nurses were given practice exercises to complete before their Hands-On-Training session with the IV Team nurse.

1. Practice Exercises
1. Practice applying the tourniquet and palpating veins on several
coworkers and patients. Repeated practice will make this skill
automatic and help to sensitize your fingers. That way you can
focus on cannulating with you do your Hands-on Training with the
VAT nurse.
2. Practice immobilizing a hand vein as described in the article (#1 on
page 42). Repeatedly practice on people until you can do it without
thinking about it. When you do this, you will need to apply the
tourniquet and palpate the vein.
3. Practice immobilizing a cephalic vein as described in the article (#2
on page 42). Repeatedly practice on different people until you can
do it without thinking about it. When you do this, you will need to
apply the tourniquet and palpate the vein.
WHEN YOU OBSERVE the VAT nurse starting the three IVs, ask her to
4.
assist you in examining the patient’s veins. Try to identify which
veins are superficial and which are deep.
Watch the videos about the two IV catheters
1. ProtectIV Plus
2.
For the ProtectIV Plus:
• Practice holding the angiocath as shown in the video, between
the thumb and forefinger, so that you will be able to visualize
blood flashback.
• Practice inserting the cannula into the vein model at a 15 to
20 degree angle. Also practice withdrawing the stylet and
using the tab to push the catheter forward. See what it feels
like when the safety mechanism clicks and locks when you
withdraw the stylet. Use another cannula and practice until
you can withdraw the cannula and advance the catheter
using the tab in one smooth motion. You will be far ahead if
you feel comfortable doing this when you do your Specialized
Training with the VAT nurse. (Note: you can use one cannula
for several tries. Just don’t click to activate the safety
mechanism.)