Which IO size is used for the adult humerus?

Which IO size is used for the adult humerus?

• A. Yellow 45 mm
• B. Pink 15 mm
• C. Blue 25 mm
• D. Green - Sternal IO

Answer: (B)

Choosing IO needle length is all about reaching the inside of the bone without going too deep. For the proximal humerus in adults, the track to the marrow is relatively shallow when accessed correctly, so a shorter needle can reliably reach the intraosseous space without overshooting. The pink 15 mm length is designed for this near-surface access, making it a good match for adult humeral IO cannulation in this context. Longer lengths, like 25 mm or 45 mm, are more appropriate when the bone-to-skin distance is greater or when accessing deeper sites or in patients with thicker tissue, but they’re not necessary for the humerus in this scenario. The green-sternal option refers to a different IO site altogether, not the humerus.

Choosing IO needle length is all about reaching the inside of the bone without going too deep. For the proximal humerus in adults, the track to the marrow is relatively shallow when accessed correctly, so a shorter needle can reliably reach the intraosseous space without overshooting. The pink 15 mm length is designed for this near-surface access, making it a good match for adult humeral IO cannulation in this context.

Longer lengths, like 25 mm or 45 mm, are more appropriate when the bone-to-skin distance is greater or when accessing deeper sites or in patients with thicker tissue, but they’re not necessary for the humerus in this scenario. The green-sternal option refers to a different IO site altogether, not the humerus.