Arteries, veins transport blood

between the capillaries and the

heart.
Capillaries where the exchange of
materials between blood and tissues
take place.

VASCULAR SYSTEM
ARTERIES
Carry blood from the heart to capillaries
arterioles.
3 Layers:
1.) Tunica Intima layer in contact with blood;
made of simple squamous epithelium
endothelium (produces nitric oxide); its
smoothness prevents abnormal blood clotting.
2.) Tunica Media made of smooth muscle and
elastic connective tissue; affected by nitric oxide
(vasodilator); smooth muscle has nerve supply
sympathetic nervous system causes
vasoconstriction.

3.) Tunica Externa very strong to prevent the
rupture or bursting of the large arteries that
carry blood under high pressure.
VEINS - carry blood from capillaries (venules)
back to the heart; have valves to prevent
backflow of blood.
CAPILLARIES carry blood from arterioles to
venules.
Anastamoses a connection or joining of
vessels that is artery to artery or vein to vein.

A method by which a catheter is inserted into
a vein, with a needle, to deliver fluid directly
into the bloodstream.
The most common intravenous sites are
located on the top of the hand, the lower
forearm, or the upper, inner forearm near the
fold of the elbow.
Jugular vein in the neck; vein in the scalp is
most frequently used as an IV site for infants.

INTRAVENOUS THERAPY
Common Venipuncture Sites
Venipuncture procedure involving the
puncture of a vein for the purposes of
collecting blood or administering
intravenous (IV) therapy and IV drugs.

The ARMS, HANDS, and in rare cases, the
FEET can provide access for
venipuncture.
MEDIAN CUBITAL VEIN
Most commonly used site for a venipuncture
At the bend of the elbow (antecubital fossa)
Superficial vein that forms a connection point
between the cephalic and basilic veins of the
arm is large, and therefore easier to see and
feel.
Risks associated: penetration of the biceps
tendon and the brachial artery.
CEPHALIC VEIN
Runs superficially under the skin along the
outer side of the upper and lower arm.
This is another acceptable site if scarring is
present in the antecubital space from previous
venipunctures or if the the antecubital veins
are not palpable.
More commonly accessed on the forearm
rather than the upper arm.
Can also be accessed in the inside of the wrist
as it runs down the thumb.
BASILIC VEIN
Runs along the inner side of the
upper arm and forearm.

Commonly used for a venipuncture
in the forearm rather than upper
arm.
DORSAL METACARPAL VEINS
Veins that run down the middle of the
hand
Hand veins are not as large as the veins
in the forearm and antecubital fossa.
In some home hospitals, its policy to
start with the veins on the hand as a first
choice for an IV line and work your way
up if you cant access a lower vein.
EXTERNAL JUGULAR VEIN
Located on the side of the neck, it runs
vertically from the top of the jaw line,
close to the ear, toward the clavicle bone
leading to the shoulder.
Used when the patient has poor access in
the arm, or, when large amount of fluid
need to be injected.
Vein in the foot
Not often done; often more PAINFUL.
Blood does not flow as freely in this area
and therefore the method can be less
effective.
There is also an increased risk of
infection.