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having medicine through an iv

Some people like to know what will happen when they have treatment.

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When you have medicine given to you through an IV or a drip, you will have something called a cannula placed in your hand. 

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This part explains what might happen before, during and after having a cannula for medicine.

 

There is a comic strip that shows you what might happen when you have your treatment too.

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If there is anything you don't want to see, you don't need to -

just click on the parts you are interested in!

 

Having a medical cannula.PNG

I would like to know what a cannula is for and why I need one A cannula is a very small plastic tube that usually goes on the back of one of your hands, which means you can have medicine put straight into your body without having to swallow it. You might need one if you are having medicine at a hospital, so that the medicine can get straight to work without having to go through your tummy first. Some medicines work a lot better when they are given this way.

I would like to know what might happen BEFORE my cannula Your doctor will explain why they would like you to have your medicine through a cannula. On the day of your treatment, you might be given some numbing cream to put on the back of your hands, which will stop you feeling things as much. This cream needs to be left on for a while so it can work properly. You might also meet some other doctors and nurses who will check your details and talk to you about your medicine and how it will help you.

I would like to know what might happen DURING my cannula If you had some numbing cream on your hand, this will be wiped off. You will feel some squeezing on your arm, and some tapping or patting on your hand. When the cannula is put in, you will feel some pushing. The needle will be taken away, and there is a little plastic tube left. A sticky plaster will be put on your hand to make sure it stays in place. You can then have your medicine. The doctor or nurse will tell you how the medicine will make you feel. It's important that the person gets the cannula in the right place, so you can have the medicine. Sometimes this means they have to do this more than once, but they will only do this if it's really needed.

I would like to know what might happen AFTER my cannula Once you are ready to go home, someone will take the cannula out for you. The sticky plaster will be taken off, and the cannula just slides out (this doesn’t hurt). You might have a small bruise on your hand, and you might get a small plaster or a cotton wool ball to wear home.

I would like to see a drawing example of the treatment needle

I would like to see a drawing of what my appointment might be like

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