When establishing peripheral IV access for an older adult, which action should the nurse implement?

• A. Use minimal tourniquet pressure
• B. Decrease the angle of insertion
• C. Select a larger gauge catheter
• D. Apply a tourniquet for an extended period

Answer: (A)

When establishing peripheral IV access in older adults, gentle tissue handling and preserving tissue perfusion are key because veins can be fragile and easily damaged. Using only minimal tourniquet pressure helps vein distention enough to visualize and puncture, while reducing the risk of ischemia, skin damage, or nerve injury from excessive or prolonged compression. This approach makes cannulation safer and more comfortable for the patient.

The other options don’t support safety as well. A larger gauge catheter can increase vein trauma in fragile vessels, and keeping a tourniquet on for an extended period raises the risk of tissue injury. Aiming for a drastically decreased insertion angle isn’t the main factor for this scenario and doesn’t address the vulnerability of the elderly veins.