Drawing air into syringe; cap on or off?

[IaCountryGirl]

I can not find this anywhere in my text. The question is "When you draw air into your syringe, should the cap be on or off? Give 2 reasons to support your answer". Common sense would tell me you can't draw air into something if the cap is blocking air flow- am I missing something??

[SCnurse2010]

The cap on the syringe won't block airflow, at least none that I've used. It just makes logical sense to keep a sharp point covered until it is absolutely necessary to have it open.

[Boog'sCRRN246, RN]

I've always drawn air into the syringe with the cap on.

[IaCountryGirl]

In the text it says to remove needle cap then draw air into syringe, however in the rationale it mentions nothing as to why remove the cap first. I feel like I'm missing something.

[anonymousstudent]

In the text it says to remove needle cap then draw air into syringe, however in the rationale it mentions nothing as to why remove the cap first. I feel like I'm missing something.

We were taught to take the cap off first, draw the air, and the immediately inject the air into the vile and fill the syringe.

Are you filling with blunt fills? Maybe if you remove the cap first on the original needle, you'll remember to switch it out and put the blunt fill on? Maybe? Good luck!

[Jolie, BSN]

The cap on the syringe won't block airflow, at least none that I've used. It just makes logical sense to keep a sharp point covered until it is absolutely necessary to have it open.

The needle cover is not airtight, and will not prevent air from being drawn into the syringe.

2 reasons to support this answer:

Less risk of contaminating the needle.

Less risk of needle-stick.

[klsteffe]

IaCountryGirl, So I am in the same class as you. Where did you find that in the text?

[IaCountryGirl]

I went back beyond the assigned reading. It's on 739 of Potter & Perry under the vial containing solution heading.

[IaCountryGirl]

Jolie had the correct answer. She told us in lab today that she didn't expect anyone to get the answer since it's not really in the text.