In the following denote procedure cannula inserted in which blood vessel?

Appeared in: AIIMS Delhi NO - 2018

Explanation

The image shows the IV cannula inserted on the lateral (thumb side) of the forearm.
The cephalic vein is the major superficial vein that runs along the lateral/radial aspect of the forearm.
This anatomical positioning makes the cephalic vein the correct identification for the cannulated vessel.
It is a common and preferred site for peripheral IV access due to its size and accessibility.

Option A: The basilic vein is located on the medial (ulnar/little finger) side of the forearm, which is opposite to the insertion site shown in the image.
Option B: The axillary vein is a deep vein located in the axilla (armpit) and is used for central venous access, not peripheral cannulation as shown.
Option D: The radial veins are deep veins that accompany the radial artery. Peripheral IVs are placed in superficial veins, not deep ones.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Anatomy of peripheral veins for intravenous cannulation helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Proper vein identification is a critical nursing skill to ensure successful IV cannulation, minimize patient discomfort, and prevent complications like nerve damage or arterial puncture.
Choosing the cephalic vein is often preferred for its straight path, good size, and distance from major nerves and arteries compared to other sites.
What if? If the patient required rapid, large-volume fluid resuscitation, the nurse might instead target the larger veins in the antecubital fossa, such as the median cubital vein, despite the limitation on joint movement.

How to Approach the Question

First, analyze the image to identify the anatomical landmarks. Note that the IV cannula is on the outer (lateral) side of the forearm.
Recall the anatomy of the major superficial veins of the arm.
Correlate the location in the image with the known paths of the veins provided in the options.
The cephalic vein runs up the lateral (thumb) side of the arm.
The basilic vein runs up the medial (pinky) side.
Eliminate options that are anatomically incorrect (e.g., deep veins like the radial vein or veins in different locations like the axillary vein).

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Anatomy Grays 43e Vol 2 Part 2 p. 73-75

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