The femoral vein is a large vein located in the thigh. It is responsible for carrying blood from the leg to the heart. Because of its location, which makes it relatively easier to access than the other vein, the femoral vein is often used for IV therapy and other medical procedures like Blood donation, etc.
If you’re a beginner and you need to find the femoral vein but don’t know how don’t worry. This guide will teach you everything you need to know about finding the femoral vein.
Understanding the Femoral Vein – What is it and What does it do?
The femoral vein is a large vein located in the upper thigh. It drains blood from the lower body and returns it to the heart. This vein is a continuation of the popliteal vein, which drains blood from the leg. It is located in front of the femur (thigh bone). It is surrounded by the femoral artery and nerve.
Location:
The femoral vein begins at the level of the inguinal ligament (groin). It runs down the thigh, crossing in front of the hip joint. It then passes behind the knee before emptying into the iliac veins (large veins in the pelvis).
Function:
This vein is one of the major veins in the body. It plays an important role in blood circulation. It carries blood from the lower body to the heart. This vein is responsible for returning deoxygenated blood and carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs.
The reason why it is so important to know how to find the femoral vein is that it is often used for blood tests, intravenous (IV) therapy, and blood transfusions. It is also a common site for catheter insertion. This vein is easy to access and has a large diameter, which makes it ideal for these procedures. If you’re interested in finding out more about an IV drip make sure you check out IV Health.
Further below, we will show you how to find the femoral vein, so let’s take a look.
How to Find a Femoral Vein on Your Own – Different Ways
There are different ways that you can try to find the femoral vein. You can use your hands or a stethoscope. Let’s take a look at each method.
Method 1: Use your hands
One of the traditional ways to find the femoral vein is to use your hands. This method is called palpation. To do this, you will need to:
- Ā Ā Place your thumb on the inside of the thigh, just below the groin.
- Ā Ā Use your fingers to feel for a pulse.
- Ā Ā Once you find the pulse, move your fingers up towards the waist.
- Ā Ā Continue moving your fingers until you reach the crease in the thigh.
- Ā Ā The femoral vein should be located just behind the crease.
Method 2: Use an AimVein Vein Finder
If you want a more accurate way to find the femoral vein, then you can use an AimVein vein finder and you can buy on AimVien.com. This is a handheld device that uses infrared light to locate veins beneath the skin. It is quick and easy to use. Simply:
- Ā Ā Turn on the AimVein vein finder.
- Ā Ā Place the device on the skin.
- Ā Ā Move it around until the femoral vein is located.
- Ā Ā The LED light will change color to indicate when the vein has been found.
- Ā Ā Once the vein has been located, you can use a needle or catheter to access it.
Method 3: Use a Stethoscope
Another way to find the femoral vein is to use a stethoscope. This method is called auscultation. To do this, you will need to:
- Ā Ā Place the stethoscope on the skin.
- Ā Ā Move it around until you hear a swishing sound.
- Ā Ā The femoral vein should be located just behind the crease in the thigh.
- Ā Ā Once the vein has been located, you can use a needle or catheter to access it.
- Ā Ā If you cannot find the femoral vein using a stethoscope, then you can try using an electronic vein finder.
Safety Measure and Precautions
Now that you know how to find the femoral vein, there are some safety measures and precautions that you need to take. These include:
- Ā Ā Ā Always sterilize the skin before accessing the vein.
- Ā Ā Ā Use a new needle or catheter each time.
- Ā Ā Ā Avoid touching the needle or catheter with your bare hands.
- Ā Ā Ā Insert the needle or catheter at a 30-degree angle.
- Ā Ā Ā Apply pressure to the vein after the needle or catheter has been removed.
By following these safety measures and precautions, you can help reduce the risk of infection and other complications.
Risks Associated with Finding Femoral Veins Without any Training
Even though the femoral vein is easy to access, there are still some risks associated with finding it if you have no prior training. Therefore, it is always better to have a before-hand practice. Below are some of the risks that you’ll have to consider if you choose to find the femoral vein on your own:
Puncturing a blood vessel: If you puncture a blood vessel, it can cause bleeding.
Infection: If the skin or needle is not sterilized before accessing the vein, there is a risk of infection.
Pain: There may be some pain associated with accessing the femoral vein.
Bruising: You may experience bruising at the site where the needle or catheter was inserted.
Swelling: There may be some swelling at the site where the needle or catheter was inserted.
Takeaway
So there you have it, everything you need to know about finding the femoral vein.
Remember to be gentle and take your time when looking for this vein. With a little practice, you will be able to find it quickly and easily on every patient. Have you tried using these techniques? Let us know in the comments below how they worked for you!