Question

why do the needles have different color tops?

Answer 1

It is very important to differentiate proper needle size before starting an intravenous therapy. needles are sized by gauges, and as the gauge increase, smaller the needle will be.Nurse may find it difficult to spot the different sized gauges. so, here colour of needle hub plays a vital role.

• colours represent the sized gauge of needle.

example: 22 is blue and 18 is green.importance of selecting right gauge is because some procedures can only be done with a particular sized needle. Procedures like blood transfusion need 16 gauge needle.

16 gauge

mainly used in ICU and surgical area for blood transfusion, rapid fluid administration and so on

18 gauge

same use as 16 gauge, but more painful to patients.

20 gauge

also used for blood transfusion, if patients vein is smaller.

22 gauge

used in patients who are not critically ill.

24 gauge

mainly used for paediatric cases and those patient with thin veins

usage of needles may change according to hospital protocol

New  world wide ISO colour standards (BD)

30 G- yellow

27 G- grey

26 G-brown

25 G-orange

23 G- blue

22 G- black

21 G-green

18 G- pink