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

[@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.

[@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

[@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!!

[@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.

[@connie9021]

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

[@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

[@firstfoyer1]

Thank you. Very simple and clear.

[@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

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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 ?

[@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!!

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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

[@annjean8709]

Great tutorial video! Thank you for sharing.

[@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.

[@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 .

[@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

[@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

[@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?

[@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

[@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.

[@shanezwack187]

Super informative. Thank you.

[@MsChantalm]

which size is appropiate for heparin?

[@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

[@randythomas3478]

Whole blood removal needles for hemachromatosis patients?

[@ogduck461]

She's adorable

[@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

[@mdanasamin1414]

Thanks alot for explaining

[@anji3117]

Is there prefered company of needles high quality

[@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!

[@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!

[@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

[@cronoskrallerdotiani1772]

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

[@libanjamal6212]

Thank you so much! Super useful

[@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

[@georgeajy1]

good explanation.Thanks.

[@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

[@DavidRamirez-be1ke]

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

[@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

[@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

[@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-- :)

[@elizabethmontano6414]

Thanks for this video it is very helpfull

[@jarrodcherry2383]

Beautiful and very informative video.

[@pussyeater5874]

u didn't say da inches of the needles

[@IlIlIIllIlIllIIIl]

What about the big injection needles?

[@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.

[@Ventus2077]

Very helpful, thank you

[@davidbenari5007]

what is the red dot on the hub indicate ??

[@386mak]

hi. what would you use for B12 injection

[@mufarowashemangwiro7831]

About to start injecting testosterone and I'm doing the research lol

[@tevingordon5817]

Me too bro

[@silverbushb448]

You inject testosterone into a VEIN...? I thought it was just subcutaneous or intramuscular...No? Im pretty certain you're not going to be injecting into a vein but rather merely under the skin or into muscle tissue. And if I am in fact correct about that, then you actually wont be using ANY of the needle gauges mentioned here--You will likely be using an even smaller gauge which isnt mentioned here (because those tinest gauges are not used for veinous access) such as 31, 30, 29 or 28. (I think here she refers to 27 as being an insulin needle but in fact that is actually the largest of the insulin needles and most home injectors of subcutaneous or intramuscular meds (as opposed to injecting into veins) use smaller than 27 (the larger the number, the smaller the needle). Im willing to bet you'll be using 30 or 31... but not bigger than 29 at the most.

[@tearkey1624]

@@silverbushb448 lol 30g? U can use what she showed u. A muscle is even further than a vein. You need a longer needle

[@silverbushb448]

@@tearkey1624 The gauge has nothing to do with the needle's LENGTH. You're talking about length. Im talking about the gauge. Two different things entirely. You missed my point which is that since testosterone doesnt get injected into a vein, the only consideration is to use the smallest possible gauge. (It goes without saying that, as you mention, the needle must also be of sufficient length to reach its intended target. But here in this video we are only talking about GAUGE.)

[@siastheyoutuber6893]

@@silverbushb448 It is IM but the medication is extremely thick so the doctor(or at least mine does) recommends a 22- or 23 gauge needle. We use 18 or 20 to draw it up.

[@Cassyrose100]

Thanks Caroline:)

[@primelee5186]

What about the needles for hpv and the flu

[@usilamb9543]

Which size would they use for school shots?

[@jadenblackmountain3838]

What size gauge is the blunt needle, love?

[@garlicdawg]

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

[@krashdown102]

what needle gauge is adrenaline usually?

[@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

[@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

[@carmen27311]

thank you

[@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!!

[@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

[@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!

[@marcoantonionoriega1656]

What is a gauge.?

[@sim7409]

did u cover 23g?

[@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

[@khusbooredhu123]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@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

[@rusty315]

thank you so much!!!

[@brandyvelez2986]

Witch needle do you use to administer medication subcutaneous

[@Kim-ug1yf]

+Brandy Velez the first one

[@tanyar0408]

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

[@RandyB1296]

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

[@BerkshireHathawayCRE]

I thought that green is 18 gauge not red

[@alexxxc1363]

injection in the glute??

[@user-pc5dk7gp4b]

What is the dam length though.

[@assassinfearx]

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

[@empowern]

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

[@nsp670]

30

[@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 :(

[@DigitalAndInnovation]

PLEASE be clear this is for IV catheters and not needles- you keep calling them needles- and the color codes are completely different... a yellow IV catheter is a 24 gauge but a yellow needle is a 20 gauge. A pink IV catheter is a 20 gauge but a pink needle is a 18 gauge.

[@jmead1]

Perhaps video should have updated text box over it to clarify. Thankfully for people who work in hospital they quickly know needles and IV catheters are very different. I do bone marrow biopsies using needles for syringes to deliver numbing lidocaine and definitely the colors and gauges are way different than what is being shared here.

[@ricardadreonna65]

Thank you :)

[@empowern]

Your welcome :)

[@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

[@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.

[@reecebell5978]

I have to have the 18g weekly for my venesections

[@dimitrulii]

that was really helpful :D

[@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

[@KSAG-mw7uv]

Waw very good

[@empowern]

Omar Albassiouny Hi Omar! I'm glad you like it. If you have something in mind that you'd like to request I'd appreciate it. Looking forward to see you here again. -xoxo

[@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

[@hemondkhavalier9700]

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

[@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.

[@ayanmohammed2529]

Any nurses based in London? I need some assistance injecting some medication....