Butterfly Needles
Butterfly needles are short, small diameter needles attached to a flexible tube. The needle has two rubber wings on either side that allow the phlebotomist to easily hold onto or move the needle. The tube is attached to a rubber boot, which attaches to the blood collection tube. Blood taken from the wrist, hand and foot are usually done with a butterfly needle, which allows the patient some sort of movement without knocking the needle out of place.
About Butterfly Needles
Butterfly needles come in 21, 23 and 25 gauge sizes (the larger the number, the thinner the needle).
Blood samples taken from the wrist, hand and foot are usually collected with butterfly needles. Patients who have shallow veins, or those who are prone to anxiety or movement when blood is drawn, often benefit from butterfly needles.
Since the needle is attached to a tube and not directly to the collection tube, a patient can move with some degree of ease, and not jar the needle out of place.
Despite its small diameter and appearance, butterfly needles do not always result in less pain to the patient. Butterfly needles are short, and hitting a vein might require multiple sticks.
Having blood drawn is a fact of life and nearly everyone experiences it at some point in their life.
Recent Butterfly Needles Questions
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What size needle do they use for IVS?
Jan 29, 11:32pm - The easiest, quickest method for IV's is with a 'butterfly' n...
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Jan 20, 9:28am - No it doesn't hurt. They a needle called the butterfly and it...
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Where is the least painful place to get a shot?
Jan 18, 4:03pm - It really depends on the person. You can always ask for a but...
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Can they use a butterfly needle when they draw blood?
Nov 29 2011, 2:15pm - Yes. A butterfly needle is often used with people who have sp...
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Nov 25 2011, 1:03am - Large syringes often have something that looks remotely like ...
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What is the instrument used to draw blood?
Oct 11 2011, 2:34pm - The small needle used to draw blood is called a butterfly.
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What size needle do doctors use to draw blood on a 14 year old?
Aug 21 2011, 12:56am - Usually, a butterfly needle is used to draw blood. Butterfly ...
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How long is a Butterfly Needle?
Jul 20 2011, 12:16pm - Butterfly needles are usually a 21g green label, a 23g blue l...
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Jun 08 2011, 11:32pm - Usually, a butterfly needle is used to draw blood. Butterfly ...
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Does a butterfly needle hurt more than a real needle?
May 12 2011, 7:11pm - Regular needles are the same guage as butterfly needles. They...
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What are the top five pelvic stretches?
Nov 23 2010, 9:27am - Some top pelvic stretches are the butterfly stretch, the side...
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Oct 13 2010, 7:25pm - This is the most common cause for a collapsed vein.
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What is the name for fears of needles and fears of butterflies?
May 18 2009, 8:23pm - Belonephobia is the fear of needles, and Lepidopterophobia is...
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How do they take blood for a blood test at the doctor?
Mar 23 2009, 1:38am - The doctor will find a vein, tie off your arm, and use a butt...
