What is the bevel?

• A. The base of the needle
• B. The color-coded band on the needle
• C. Slanted tip of needle containing the opening of the needle
• D. The entire shaft length

Answer: (C)

The bevel is the slanted tip of the needle where the hollow opening begins. This angled cut creates the lumen that allows fluids to flow through the needle, and it also makes penetration into tissue smoother with less resistance, reducing tissue trauma. The way the bevel is oriented can affect how easily the needle enters tissue and the direction it follows during insertion. The base of the needle is the hub that attaches to the syringe, the shaft is the long straight part, and the color-coded band is just a code for gauge or needle type, not the bevel itself.