I have a question regarding flushing IV's. Today was my second day of clinical on a surgical floor. I was assisting an RN with temporarily disconnecting an IV. She drew up 2.5 cc's of saline to flush it because she said you have to flush it when you disconnect it. I asked if I could flush it (first time) and she said yes. So we went into the room together and she handed me the syringe and she told me just to push the saline into the IV site, the only thing is that there was a pocket of air in the syringe (not too big) and I didnt realize it before it was too late. I told the nurse after we had left the room and she told me not to worry and that occasionally small amounts of air will get into the IV tubing, as long as its not too much it isnt a problem. The client was fine for the rest of the shift, he had some tachypnea near the end of the shift but this was something that started yestaurday. She just handed me the syringe, since she drew it up I assumed she got all the air out.
I am king of worried. Is this going to be harmful for the client? I will ALWAYS double check to make sure from now on!
