Venepuncture and Cannulation: A Practical Guide offers an easy-to-read, comprehensive account of the practical procedures of venepuncture and intravenous cannulation. It provides the underlying theory and underpinning knowledge required, as well as a step-by-step approach that will enable healthcare practitioners to carry out these procedures safely, efficiently and with confidence.

This book is intended as a supplementary resource for those involved in practising or teaching these procedures, for healthcare practitioners wishing to update their knowledge, and for novice practitioners learning these skills for the first time. Each chapter contains intended learning outcomes and points for practice. Some chapters also include helpful illustrations and practical activities, and the book ends with two self-assessment checklists.

Contents include:

• What are venepuncture and cannulation?
• An overview of the circulatory system and the related anatomy and physiology of the peripheral vascular system
• Vein selection
• Preparing yourself, your environment and your patient
• Venepuncture techniques
• Venepuncture – when things go wrong
• Cannulation
• Cannulation techniques
• Cannulation – when things go wrong
• Reducing risks when carrying out venepuncture and cannulation
• Appendix 1: Self-assessment checklist for venepuncture to ensure safe practice
• Appendix 2: Self-assessment checklist for cannulation to ensure safe practice

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The author, Nicola Brooks, is Senior Lecturer at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Health and Life Sciences, De Montfort University, Leicester, UK