IV cannula insertion
IV line · cannula · IV catheter · drip line in the arm
A nurse puts a thin, soft tube into a vein. The needle is taken out right away, and only the plastic stays in the vein. Medicines and drips go through it without new injections.
When you need many injections or drips, before surgery or a scan with contrast dye, and in hospital.
⏱ Duration: usually 2 to 5 minutes
Be sure to tell your doctor
How to prepare
- Water. If you are allowed to drink, have some water ahead of time. Your veins fill better.
- Warmth. Warm hands make veins easier to see. If your hands are cold, warm them up.
What to bring
- Clothes with a sleeve that is easy to roll up
How it goes
- The nurse chooses a vein, usually on the hand or forearm
- A band is tied above it and the skin is wiped
- A needle with a tube goes in. This is a quick prick
- The needle is removed, and the tube stays in the vein
- The cannula is closed with a cap and taped in place
What you'll feel
- A prick, like during a blood draw
- After that, you barely feel the cannula
- When medicine goes in, your arm may sometimes feel cool
Afterwards
- Do not get the cannula wet, and do not pull on it
- You can use your arm, but do not bend it much if the cannula is at the elbow
- Usually the cannula stays for up to 3 to 4 days, then it is changed or removed
- Removal is quick and almost painless. A cotton pad is put on the spot
Contact a doctor straight away if
- Pain, swelling, or redness around the cannula or along the vein: tell the nurse right away
- Fluid from the drip goes under the skin and your arm swells: ask for the drip to be stopped
- A fever or chills: tell your doctor
Common questions
Does the needle stay in the vein?
No. The needle is removed right away. Only a soft plastic tube stays in the vein.
How long can a cannula stay in?
Usually up to 3 to 4 days. If you have pain or redness, it is removed sooner.