- I will need to get an IV when I go to the hospital.
- An IV is a small straw that is put into one of the veins in my arm or hand.
- This is how I can get medicine for my procedure.
The nurse will use these to put my IV in:
- A tourniquet
- A wet sponge to clean my skin. It might smell.
- A tool to rinse my IV
- A small tube that connects to my IV
- A green cap for the end of the tube
- A package with a wet sponge on a stick inside. This helps keep the tape on.
- Tape to hold everything in place
- A soft, white gauze square to catch any drips
- A little white pad to protect my skin under the IV
- A helper needle that pushes the small straw (IV) into my vein.
![IV supplies labeled IV supplies labeled](/sites/default/files/uichildrens_org/iv-supplies-labeled.jpg)
![Child receiving an IV](/sites/default/files/uichildrens_org/child_distraction_iv.jpg)
![Nurse helps a child to get an IV](/sites/default/files/uichildrens_org/child_distraction_iv_light.jpg)
I can choose how to make my skin numb.
- Numb means I will not feel that spot.
- My skin will be numb only in the spot where the nurse puts my IV.
1. I can choose to use a J-tip to numb my skin.
![Nurses and medical staff placing an IV for a child using J-tip for numbing](/sites/default/files/uichildrens_org/jtip_iv.jpg)
![Nurses use a J-tip on a child's arm](/sites/default/files/uichildrens_org/jtip2_iv.jpg)
![Small circle on a child's skin after a J-tip is used](/sites/default/files/uichildrens_org/jtip3_iv.jpg)
2. I can choose to use numbing cream.
![A child with numbing cream on their arm](/sites/default/files/uichildrens_org/numbing_cream.jpg)
3. I can choose to use a vibrating tool called a ladybug or a buzzy bee.
![Ladybug buzzer is used to distract a child from an IV poke](/sites/default/files/uichildrens_org/lady_bug_buzzer.jpg)
- The ladybug or a buzzy bee lays on my skin.
- It makes a sound like “BUZZZ” and may tickle a little.
- It is another way to help me not feel the poke of the helper needle.
![Nurse and child get ready to place an IV](/sites/default/files/uichildrens_org/ready_for_iv.jpg)
![Nurse is about to clean a child's skin](/sites/default/files/uichildrens_org/cleaning_skin_before_iv.jpg)
![Light shining on a child's arm](/sites/default/files/uichildrens_org/light_before_iv.jpg)
There will be people in the room to help me.
I can watch the nurse put my IV in if I want to.
![Nurses and others helping a child get an IV](/sites/default/files/uichildrens_org/people_helping_distraction.jpg)
- One person will have fun things to look at.
- Another nurse helps me hold my arm still.
- My family can hug me and hold my hand.
I can choose not to watch.
![Books blocking a child from seeing their IV be put in](/sites/default/files/uichildrens_org/child_iv_not_looking.jpg)
![IV being put into a child's arm](/sites/default/files/uichildrens_org/child_arm_iv_distraction.jpg)
- The nurse will use a helper needle to slide the small straw into my vein.
- The nurse will do this in a spot that was made numb.
- I might feel some fingers or pushes on my skin.
- The helper needle will go away. The small straw stays in my arm.
This is what happens after the little plastic straw is in place.
![Nurse putting an IV in a child's arm](/sites/default/files/uichildrens_org/nurse_iv_child_arm.jpg)
![IV taped in place](/sites/default/files/uichildrens_org/iv_child_cropped.jpg)
![IV tube with a green cap](/sites/default/files/uichildrens_org/iv_green_cap.jpg)
![IV that is covered by a soft netting](/sites/default/files/uichildrens_org/iv_green_cap_netting.jpg)
![Nurse gives a child a prize for getting their IV put in](/sites/default/files/uichildrens_org/iv_prize_sticker.jpg)
![Child holds their stuffed animal while laying in a hospital bed](/sites/default/files/uichildrens_org/iv_good_job.jpg)