Needles reading

Drip
An intravenous drip. The IV bag contains some solution — often saline or glucose. The solution travels down the tube (the IV line) to the patient’s body. The flow of the solution can be controlled (in this case with a thumbwheel). The drip chamber allows gases (like air) to be removed.

IV Drip. The solution (fluid) travels from the bag through the tube to the patient’s body. A needle is  inserted (put) into a vein with a needle.

The needle (IV cannula)
The healthcare professional inserts a needle into a vein.

Injection. Another way of getting some solution into a patient’s body: by injection.

syringe
This is the tool you use to give an injection: a syringe. The plunger fits tightly into the barrel. The needle that goes into a vein fits onto the end of the barrel. A needle that is put into a patient’s body is called a cannula.

The barrel of a syringe usually has measurements or calibrations on it.

Calibrations
The barrel of the syringe is calibrated — it has measurements marked on it.

You use a syringe to give an injection. You have to be careful to read the calibrations and think about the time it takes you to administer (give) the injection.

injection
The healthcare professional is giving the patient an injection. She is using a syringe.

You don’t always give injections with syringes. You can also take blood from a patient.

blood sample
Here the healthcare professional is taking a blood sample.

Stitches. Needles are also used to put in stitches (sutures).

stitches
Using a needle to put in (or insert) stitches (or sutures). The healthcare professional stitches or sutures the wound.

A healthcare professional takes out (removes) stitches when the wound has healed. Normally this is after about ten to fourteen days. She uses tweezers to pull the stitch up  a little then she cuts the stitch. Then the stitch can be pulled out safely.

taking out stitches
Pull the stitch up a little with tweezers, then cut the stitch with scissors. Then you can pull the stitch out.
Scissors and tweezers.
The healthcare professional is holding the tweezers in her left hand and pulling the stitch up a little so that she can cut the stitch with the scissors in her right hand.
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Scissors, tweezers, and thread.