how do you avoid getting bubbles in the syringe?

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We just started learning parenteral medication in my program, and lots of us are going nuts with bubbles in the syringe when drawing up the practice medication.

How do you keep the bubbles away??

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The best way is to finish drawing up your med, preferably a little extra, pull MORE air into the barrel, and flick it until the bubbles all come together with the air. Then you eject the air and any extra medication until you have the desired dose in the barrel.

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Ah...never would've thought of more air. I'll give this a try next time. Thank you!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

draw slowly....if you reconstitute a vial don't "shake it" roll the vials between your hands back and fourth. Once the med is in the syringe like GrnTea says pull back a little more air and flick the syringe barrel with your thumb and middle finger.

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Specializes in LAD.
The best way is to finish drawing up your med, preferably a little extra, pull MORE air into the barrel, and flick it until the bubbles all come together with the air. Then you eject the air and any extra medication until you have the desired dose in the barrel.

Why didn't my instructor share this incredible secret with us last week? :D

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Specializes in Emergency.
Why didn't my instructor share this incredible secret with us last week? :D

A lot of times, they won't actually tell you this. It's just one of those things where you just come to realize later on that it's easier injecting a little more air and drawing a tad more medication than used. Then flick flick.

I remember in my medsurg I rotation that I was trying to flick the bubbles out of the syringe. I had a filter needle on it and in hindsight, should have taken it off. The needle flew off the syringe and almost hit another RN.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Why didn't my instructor share this incredible secret with us last week? :D
I have no idea...every nurse does it. Those who don't share knowledge don't really have it in the beginning
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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

I draw up extra air and then invert the syringe a couple times if that doesn't work. The 'traveling bubble' picks up it's fellow bubbles.

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The best way is to finish drawing up your med preferably a little extra, pull MORE air into the barrel, and flick it until the bubbles all come together with the air. Then you eject the air and any extra medication until you have the desired dose in the barrel. [/quote']

Omg .... Thank you ...

makes sense!

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