Prevalência e fatores relacionados à punção venosa periférica difícil em adultos e idosos em quimioterapia

Objective: to estimate the prevalence and factors related to difficult peripheral venous puncture in adult and elderly patients undergoing intravenous chemotherapy. Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted with 93 adult and elderly cancer patients undergoing intravenous chemotherapy at a chemotherapy center in a teaching hospital. Peripheral venous puncture was considered difficult when there was failure on the first attempt and was evaluated through non-participatory observation of the procedure. Bivariate analysis and binomial logistic regression were performed. Results: a prevalence of 26.9% was detected in difficult peripheral venous puncture. Patients with a history of difficult peripheral venous puncture were 4.35 times more likely to experience this occurrence. The following were listed as predictors: a history of difficult peripheral venous puncture (p = 0.001) and a non-palpable venous network (p = 0.001). Conclusion: the prevalence occurred in less than one-third of patients. A history of difficult peripheral venous punctures and a non-palpable venous network contributed to the difficulty of peripheral venous punctures in these patients. Contributions to practice: identifying the prevalence and factors related to difficulty in peripheral venous puncture is relevant for nursing to incorporate new technologies that enhance success on the first attempt and provide safer care to patients.