Nursing Tips: Needle Sizes & Gauges

[@selleisa121626]

Thanks for this! My BSN program literally has never gone over this. It’s so nice to actually get assistance with the basics instead of just jumping in and assuming everyone already knows.

[@shannongalpin7261]

Thank you Caroline for all of your videos! I always appreciate your educated, positive, and direct approach to nursing!

[@empowern]

It is my pleasure :) Thank you for letting me know that they help you! Looking forward to seeing you again soon! Much Love, - Caroline

[@jillwalker6261]

Thanks for explaining all of the needle sizes, gauges, and purposes for when you would use each specific needle. I found your video very helpful! Keep of the fantastic work :)

[@empowern]

+Jill Toews You are so welcome! I'm glad you find it helpful. Makes all the effort worth it. I will absolutely keep making videos like this so keep posted! :) See you on here again soon. -xoxo

[@amandagibbs1050]

Wow...I am a final year Nursing student in Jamaica and I have seen needles with the safety lock, but never on an insulin needle, mostly in psychiatry. I have never seen a red top needle either. This video was very informative. Thank You. Especially since I want to work in the United States or Canada.

[@empowern]

Amanda Gibbs Hi Amanda! That is great to hear that the video helped you!! Thanks so much for letting me know :) Hopefully you will be practicing where you want soon!! xoxo - Caroline

[@cardinnairn6345]

Thank you for this video. In a few months I will be starting testosterone Injections and my doctor said to learn needle sizes. I learned so much. I think I will be using the Orange one for injections, or the yellow one and the red one for drawing.

[@PatrickDKing]

They all look big to me. I use a BD 27Gx1/2 inch for my injections. Never really feel anything but its really slow drawing up the medicine but I don't tell the doctor b/c I don't want him to prescribe a bigger needle, I'd rather just deal with the slowness. Sometimes I hit a vein and the medicine burns a little bit, that's the worst part. I did have one time where I hit a high pressure one and blood shot out, I was surprisingly calm tho and just put pressure on it for a while. The worst was the time I injected on top of my leg and must have hit something b/c it hurt so bad, not sure if it was a nerve or somehow hit a bone which I don't see how is possible so I had to reinject.

[@kathyveiga6704]

I don't know if you mentioned, but it's important to not give the med to the patient from the filtered needle as fragments of glass are in with the med, so it's protocol to switch needles. Thanks for the video!

[@empowern]

+Kathy Veiga Very true! Thanks Kathy!!

[@connie9021]

Thank you, love all your lectures that I have seen so far.

[@Cassyrose100]

Can you share more nursing skills with us nursing students like nasogastric and wound care and feeding tubes and enamas!

[@empowern]

Hola! I would love to do all kinds of skills videos, I will do the best I can to find places/people who will let me use or purchase supplies. :) Hoping to provide a lot more for you guys! Talk to you soon!! - Caroline

[@celesterasmussen3195]

That helped me so much thank you! As a training EN I find it all confusing to hit the ward on prac and have NO idea about the needles and sizes etc. Thanks!

[@ju7062]

Hi, enjoyed your video. Would be great if you could possibly tell us what type of medication is used to draw up in the last needle you described. Thanks again!

[@tabithamadill8372]

Needle gauge colors are not universal...the ones at our hospital yellow is 20, orange is 25, 18 is pink

[@empowern]

Tabitha MaDill Oh wow!! I wondered about that! Where are you from? I think that in the U.S.A. the colors are always the same... xoxo - Caroline

[@tabithamadill8372]

The colors I listed were for the Tampa VA so it is in the US. And our IV gauge colors are different than the needle colors :(

[@empowern]

Tabitha MaDill hmm interesting! Thanks for sharing!! xoxo!!

[@Perfectleaf1975]

Tabitha MaDill Kroger told me to us 18 1 .5 to infect testosterone. Is that correct

[@reynaldoacosta5732]

i also disagree, but this may pertain to IV cannulae vs. syringe needles. on syringe and blood collection needles: 22g. is usually black; 18g usually pink; 25 usually blue; 20g usually yellow; 23g usually green, and so on.

[@randythomas3478]

Whole blood removal needles for hemachromatosis patients?

[@corrij1]

This is so helpful for me. Anyone know if it is possible to donate blood using a smaller gauge than the usual red cross 18 gauge? thanks

[@sugariiesw33t]

Hi Caroline! Thank you for the video it was very helpful! I'm a little bit scared of needles but after seeing all the different types it's not so bad! I was wondering if you had a video of how you deal with "the gross aspects" (for a lack of better word) of nursing. Did you ever have any doubts going into nursing because of the gross smells or sights you might see and have to work with. I really want to become a nurse but I'm just scared I might not be able to overcome that obstacle. Thank you so much Caroline, you are so helpful (and beautiful!) and I really appreciate your videos!

[@empowern]

This is a great question!! Honestly, I think that most of the time, the things we encounter is nothing more than what a parent would encounter with his/her children, So if you can care for children & be ok... then you should be fine! The really really hard to see/smell things are not an every day occurrence... at least for me anyways... And honestly, you do just kind of get used to it anyways. I know it is hard to imagine that, but for some reason, it just become second nature... I guess, you also see wounds/or other gross things get better too! So I focus on the healing potential aspect of the human body & not the disease :) I have another video that may help you as well :) Here is the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKKol5dji75nqrM I hope this helps!! Let me know if you need anything else! Much Love, - Caroline

[@sabrinabotelho1063]

Thanks Caroline. My school doesn't really go over iV just injections. Since we aren't allowed to insert IVs anyways. Very helpful as always :)

[@empowern]

Hi Sabrina! So glad you liked it!! Honestly, it is not super important for nursing schools to do so. It is something that can easily be picked up on your first job :) But at least this will give you a little heads up as to what to expect!! Great to see you on here as always!! xoxo - Caroline

[@montemag]

hello I have a question for you- if someone is dispensing zostavax to a patient in a clinical setting- you must first take out the diluent from one vial and then add that diluent to another vial- by doing this you are using the same syringe/needle twice before even attempting to administer the shot. should one change the "needle" tip to prevent dulling of the needle?? or is it OK to use the same syringe/needle- on the patient right after?? Any ideas or experience with this???

[@empowern]

+Mo Kravat I think that it is ok to use the same needle, because the vials are sterile. However, I have this weird thought that it will make the needle less sharp & more painful for my patients... I also see more potential for contamination due to multiple movements. What I usually do is draw the medications up with a blunt needle or preferably a plastic needless syringe. Then, at the last moment, change it to the necessary needle. To answer your question though, in nursing school I was taught to use the same needle to both draw up the medication even from multiple vials and also use it for the injection. I hope this helps! xoxo - Caroline

[@montemag]

thank you--- by the way I never had a nurse look anything like you-- :)

[@garlicdawg]

very informative..thnx for sharing.... any tips on where to buy the equipment... besides google..

[@minushramosaj8351]

ok what is the needle for amoxicillin intramuscular injection i hear it has to be 1.5 inch 21 gauge needle for adults correct.

[@annjean8709]

Great tutorial video! Thank you for sharing.

[@keegancan]

Great video. I thought a bolus was like a clump of food being broken down in food. In this incorrect?

[@TheYuriHitoehi]

That's correct. In this context, bolus also means a dose of medication given at once or one time (relatively quickly). So an IV bolus can refer to a dose of medication given by IV all at once, as opposed to an IV infusion which is done over a longer period of time.

[@shivanisaxena3619]

Which gauge should be used for intramuscular vit b12 injection

[@lolagurl007]

Hi! How do you draw up Heparin and morphine? Do you use the filter needle or the blunt needle and which syringe would you use? Thank you!

[@peasenally6]

Caroline, I would love to see a video on tips to finding a job as a new grad and resume/interview help with no previous hospital experience. Thank you so much!!!

[@empowern]

Hi Ally! I think I could definitely help with that! I will try to do a video soon :) Just in case I do not get to you in time though, some great things to emphasize would be: How you are calm under stressful situations, able to effectively multitask, like to work in a fast pace environment... I hope this helps! Looking forward to hearing from you again soon! Much Love, - Caroline

[@Mcclot1993]

I have a question. Since you said you work on a medical surgical floor correct. You probably could get a lot of good experience not just with passing medications but with IV's feeding tubes etc. I have a question on assessing a patient. How do you assess if a patients airway is patent, how do you assess a patient neroulogic status, and assessing a patients circulation.

[@empowern]

Yes, I do work on a tele-med surg unit. The initial assessment of the patient is your visual observation. Is the person breathing easily, are they alert & oriented & do the appear have any edema... these are brief assessments. Then you go a little deeper by using your stethoscope & doing more exams. I want to do more videos in the future where I show this :) xoxo - Caroline

[@thrillerkrill5777]

i cannot extract my medication from the vial with a 22 gauge needle. do you think it’s too viscous, and I need a lower gauge/greater diameter ?

[@DavidRamirez-be1ke]

With the blunt needle is it harder to penetrate a vial?

[@Diago.K]

Hay #EmpowerN I bought Syringes from Ebay two diffrant kinds the Blue Syringes and the Yellow needles. But my question is they didnt come with stoppers to hold the needles in the Syringes as the liquid would fall out. Would you know what product I need to get for that? Thankx

[@RespawnRoyalty]

I have a question regarding a 1ml syringe the one i have has 3 black rings total two as normal then it has like another attached to a small black thingy, so which ring do i measure from? the middle or the top? im so unsure.

[@alibabahikaru3761]

Hello I need help knowing which gauge I should use when I do self injection intramuscular area (upper thigh). The prescribed medication will come from a glass vial, it is hormone medication mixed with oil base solution. This is my first time doing it, and I'll have to do it for the rest of my life. I've only injected once for a diabetic cat, but it was years ago. lol

[@nicstankov9981]

Your videos are outstanding!! Great reference material for us students

[@MsChantalm]

which size is appropiate for heparin?

[@wovenwar8528]

Hello @EmpowerRN! I’m so grateful for this video! In need of some input. I’m on medication which requires injection. The medication is a bit viscous to draw my dr initially recommended 18G 1-1/2” needle. For some odd reason with COVID going on all of these sizes are unavailable and the price for few is drastically inflated. Would a 20G work for drawing as well? If you need a viscosity Vaseline I’d say it’s less viscous than blood. Any help would be greatly appreciated! My pharmacist and I have been trying to work around it and it just has not been successful. Thank you!

[@wovenwar8528]

*baseline

[@longgone6312]

What is the size of the first one not the Gauge size but the needle size its bigger then 1/2 or 12.7 mm

[@Wog68]

Good presentation. Please include selection of gauge based on fluid you have to inject. Or withdraw. For example 31 gauge needle would not be appropriate to inject suspension or viscous solution while ok for clear low viscosity solution

[@usilamb9543]

Which size would they use for school shots?

[@firstfoyer1]

Thank you. Very simple and clear.

[@386mak]

hi. what would you use for B12 injection

[@Babydollmg625]

What is the time period an iv can stay in. Without needing to change site do to infiltration etc....

[@empowern]

It depends on your hospitals policy. Everywhere I have worked the policy is 72 hours. I hope this helps! xoxo - Caroline

[@shanezwack187]

Super informative. Thank you.

[@jadenblackmountain3838]

What size gauge is the blunt needle, love?

[@assassinfearx]

What is the best needle injection for face ??????

[@empowern]

assassinfearx I have no idea, I have never done a facial injection :)

[@nsp670]

30

[@Brian-ey4xt]

I think a few other people have already commented already: the colors are definitely not standardized in veterinary medicine, and also based on donations from a few nurses who volunteer at our shelter, who bring in extra needles (from their human medical institutions) for us sometimes, those don't seem to be standardized either: we get 22s that are black, grey, orange, and blue; 25s that are pink, blue, and yellow; 26s that are blue and green; and 18s that are pink and green.

[@IlIlIIllIlIllIIIl]

What about the big injection needles?

[@davidbenari5007]

what is the red dot on the hub indicate ??

[@anji3117]

Is there prefered company of needles high quality

[@cronoskrallerdotiani1772]

is it the last needle size one are similar for piercing too?

[@BC-kx5zb]

Don't forget the big ones. I just had my knee drained of 60cc of fluid in the ER they used 8 Guage needle. It's like a Damn turkey baster going into leg. Even though they use some local, you can still feel it.

[@OffhandAgent]

Wow!!

[@primelee5186]

What about the needles for hpv and the flu

[@kirbyforlife420]

Question 1: i do dialysis and i use 14 gauge needles what do call the hole thats at the end side of tue needle? Question 2: is 14 gauge needles thicker then 15 gauge needles?

[@empowern]

***** Hi love! Honestly I'm not sure for your first question because I do not work in dialysis. But I believe it is called a bevel.... that is what we call the regular needles. With needles, the smaller the Number... the larger the needle. Therefore 14 gauge would be larger than 15 gauge. I hope this helps!! Much Love, - Caroline

[@nanaboatend3551]

Bevel

[@brandyvelez2986]

Witch needle do you use to administer medication subcutaneous

[@Kim-ug1yf]

+Brandy Velez the first one

[@fourwinns007]

Thank you for posting this video! This was so helpful!

[@empowern]

angela andrews Hi Angela! Thanks so much for letting me know! I really appreciate it!! see you soon! xoxo - Caroline

[@sandrablackwell5625]

What you said about the colors and gauges of the needles being the same everywhere in the US is inaccurate. The blue can be a 25 gauge, the pink can be an 18 gauge and so on. It's always better to read the package.

[@blackken2009]

Can you show a video of sonogram guided IV insertion. My ER techs are experts at it but they never have time to give me the secret

[@empowern]

Would love to! Just have to see if supplies become available. :) looking forward to hearing from you again soon! Much Love, - Caroline

[@jarrodcherry2383]

Beautiful and very informative video.

[@rachellereynolds9979]

Hi is great, thank you. I do want to point out, however, that while most of the gauges are the same colors, some are not. In the facility I work, 18g are green and 22g are gray. In the hospital I worked at a year ago, 18g was gray and 22g are blue (as they usually are). I think these are outliers though. I do agree that 20g is usually pink, 22g is usually blue, 24g is usually yellow, etc.

[@sim7409]

did u cover 23g?

[@bareni09]

What a great day! I got Oprah and Deepak's 1st mediation of 21 day Meditation challenge AND a new video from you next to each other in my email. You also make the world a better place, even if you are just talking about Needles. Bless you for your service to us newbies!

[@empowern]

Awe thank you so much!! I also really look up to Oprah & Deepak! So it is nice that you look forward to hearing from me as well :D Thank you so much for this comment & letting me know!! Lots of love, - Caroline

[@krashdown102]

what needle gauge is adrenaline usually?

[@lekishac1555]

Wow ! This video is awesome!

[@empowern]

LeKisha C Hi LeKisha! Thank you so much for letting me know.It means a lot. Makes all the effort worth it.Can't wait to see you here again soon. -xoxo!!

[@wendyjomendy]

why is it everywhere else I go says the opposite is true--the higher the number the smaller the needle so are they different because you are talking Iv's?

[@mdanasamin1414]

Thanks alot for explaining

[@reecebell5978]

I have to have the 18g weekly for my venesections

[@CesarCybstem]

Is a 27 gauge needle good for glute shots for my testosterone i called my doc he said it was ok but i am still unsure

[@earthstix6407]

Is this a good price for a carton of BD 27G syringes?? www.ebay.ca/itm/372628209248?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

[@georgeajy1]

good explanation.Thanks.

[@TheCountrybumpkin1]

What happen if you use 25 1 1/2 gauge to a 180lbs kid for IM? Is it dangerous?

[@earthstix6407]

Is this a good price for a carton of BD 27G syringes?? www.ebay.ca/itm/372628209248?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

[@user-pc5dk7gp4b]

What is the dam length though.

[@libanjamal6212]

Thank you so much! Super useful

[@ricardadreonna65]

I love your videos I'm going to school to be an critical care nurse, any Idea how I should be prepared more? And do you and Instagram I will like to follow you and learn more. :)

[@empowern]

Hi Adreonna! Thank you so much for letting me know! 2 things I think would help: 1. If you have the summer off during the junior/senior year, then see if you can do an Externship at a local hospital. Many of these are competitive & have multiple requirements... I did one at Duke University Hospital & I think it looked really good on my resume :) Also, when you are going to do your preceptorship your senior year... start seeing who you need to talk to because you want to be in ICU Also, when you graduate, feel confident to go straight & try to find an ICU to work at... People used to say that you should get your feet wet in Med/Surg. But my personal opinion is that these specialties are too different & you would be better off starting where you intend to stay for a while. I hope this helps! Let me know if you need anything else! Much Love, - Caroline

[@killerz5935]

Alright so I hate needles and any thing sharp poking into my body how do I over come that fear

[@empowern]

Killerz Hi love! I don't like needles either... but as a nurse your not poking them into yourself? If I do have to get a shot or needle for some reason or another, I just think about the positive benefit that it is going to do for my body :) I hope this helps!! xoxo - CAroline

[@killerz5935]

Othx

[@pussyeater5874]

u didn't say da inches of the needles

[@alexxxc1363]

injection in the glute??

[@jalehhaghighat1434]

Your tutorial is great it helped me a lot. The text in the upper left corner is hard to read you should think about changing the color and not have the shadowing . Just a suggestion.

[@Cassyrose100]

Thanks Caroline:)

[@empowern]

Your welcome :) xoxo

[@linajohn557]

can you plz post some more lessons for nursing students? thank you

[@empowern]

+lina john Working on it 😉

[@linajohn557]

ya ok, thank you and I will wait for your lessons, best of luck dear.

[@flowerchild777]

Really good, simple to follow, information. Thanks for sharing

[@empowern]

angela nadeau Awesome! Thanks so much for letting me know! Hope to see you on here again soon! xoxo - Caroline

[@tanyar0408]

I have always gotten the green needles and once 4 times in row because the nurse couldn't get a line in, ouch.

[@marcoantonionoriega1656]

What is a gauge.?

[@hemondkhavalier9700]

I’m so happy you are back Caroline. Question; dose the size matter finally or not ? At least to you?

[@mariesanonjules27]

Hi there! That was a great video. I really would like to see a video on butterfly needles. Can you provide such video?

[@empowern]

+Marie SanonJules Hi Marie! I'm not sure, but if supplies are ever donated, I will most definitely provide a video :) Looking forward to hearing from you soon! xoxo - Caroline

[@flylife305]

What about the 21G

[@earthstix6407]

Is this a good price for a carton of BD 27G syringes?? www.ebay.ca/itm/372628209248?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

[@beautytrioxo]

Caroline, I noticed your nails are pink. I've been told that we are not allowed to have our nails painted which makes me kinda sad because I love painting my nails. Is this only true in nursing school, doesn't it continue as a nurse?? Thanks!

[@ApRiL3706]

Sorry, I'm not Caroline, but it depends on the hospital's policy. There is a Children's Hospital in my area that now recently banned nail polish even the gel ones! Sad day :(

[@theRogueMistress]

Incorrect. Color coding MAY work if you are using a single manufacturer. It is by no means universal. I have had 25 g be pink orange and blue. I've had 23 be blue green .

[@Ventus2077]

Very helpful, thank you

[@elizabethmontano6414]

Thanks for this video it is very helpfull

[@klingie84]

Nice job! The 22/blue is my common needle of choice right now...why idk seems like that's all instructors want? Iv starts and stuff r next semester so c if that changes lol.

[@empowern]

I do think that the 22g. is the easiest to learn with... So if you do not place IV's all the time, this is probably your best option. Really glad you liked the video!! Looking forward to seeing you soon!! xoxo!! - Caroline

[@reecebell5978]

I have an 18 gauge weekly for my venesections!

[@OffhandAgent]

Ouch

[@khusbooredhu123]

Yellow is 24G but blue is 22G correct it ..plz

[@RandyB1296]

Don't forget the 16 (grey) gauge or the 14 (orange) gauge. These are for trauma patients in the field or ED.

[@MaudKennedy]

Thanks for the video. The biggest one looks like a screwdriver! Can I make a personal but general remark?? Please nurses,try avoid the antecubital site as much as possible,at least when the IV is supposed to stay for a few days. It's enough to make anyone crazy!

[@Lex5576]

When it comes to needles, if it's for a blood draw I'm totally fine with it. It's when I have to get a shot that I start having problems with needles. A blood draw only goes under the skin into a vein, a very shallow jab. A shot, like the tetanus booster I'll be getting in a few weeks, goes deep into a muscle and it hurts IMHO. Feels like getting stung by a wasp when whatever's in the syringe gets injected. Not pleasant at all.

[@brucey1905]

What a cutie! No, not all colors are universal to the gauge size. I think this varies based on manufactures location (ie USA, UK, Mexico, etc). I've never seen a black needle!!! LOL

[@carmen27311]

thank you

[@ogduck461]

She's adorable

[@margeauxidalide5932]

Thanks :) It was really helpful :)

[@empowern]

Ivy Jane Cañete Hi Ivy :) Your welcome!! See you soon!! xoxo - Caroline

[@BerkshireHathawayCRE]

I thought that green is 18 gauge not red

[@JesusChristSaves2024]

So which do I use to inject the heroin ?...

[@empowern]

+John Smith OMG! Please don't do it! I see so many of my patients addicted to herion... it will take your life away :(

[@jamestodd51]

+EmpoweRN I've done it in the past. i got sober. But if i could be one of your patients, I would do it again. In a heart beat

[@harshalshinde227]

awesome channel! Can u please make a video on parts of needle and the principle on which it operates becos I feel if we can understand the working of the needle, then we can increse the benchmark of it's design. There is one more channel RNnurse but it's comment section is blocked but thank God! u didn't blocked it. I have so many questions. I am your new subscriber. Do u have a video on needle stick injury?

[@harshalshinde227]

How to Determine Needle Size for various indications? Don't make video just showing mechanical aspects, fundamentals needs to cleared off. I don't want to be someone who just do what my boss tells me to do. I love doing work when I understand what I am doing but that open new vistas of creativity in the process. Once again , an awesome channel. Lots of love! I was reading in comment section that u need to have free supplies for making this video. U can have donation page on Patreon website. In that case the viewers or subscribers can donate u and with that donation u can take ur channel to greatest heights.

[@phillyb4588]

she's not married yet so if u take her out you can ask her she showed me to use a1cc for heroine

[@blackken2009]

It's standard for us to insert a 20 gauge needle in our ED just in case the patient will get blood products or CT that requires IV contrast.

[@empowern]

20 gauges I think are the best choice. Seems to be give enough for everything!! Looking forward to hearing from you again soon!! Much Love, - Caroline

[@rusty315]

thank you so much!!!

[@ricardadreonna65]

Thank you :)

[@empowern]

Your welcome :)