[JoeCanada76]

I have a question, was not sure where to put it.

Say if you are getting blood drawn from a needle, but they were not getting enough blood so they were pushing the needle back in and out until they got my blood.

Is it possible to get a air embolus by having the nurse keep pushing in the syringe to try to pull out more blood. Does this cause air to be pushed in the veins and is it dangerous?

[parttime]

I think what your describing is the tech searching for a vein ( they move an row away from the pressure of the needle) that's done with the barrel on the needle and doesn't introduce any air. Sometimes with small veins the needle can't be push through the vein and need to be pulled back to get good flow. I hope this helps.

[J_9]

It's possible Joe, but very unlikely. The nurse should actually be manipulating the needle, NOT the syringe.

[JoeCanada76]

Yes it was the syringe, not the needle. It was not for me either.

Okay say if it were to happen J9, How long would it take or would it happen pretty much instantly?

[J_9]

Take into consideration that it takes almost an entire IV tubing line of air to cause an embolis.

Now, it depends on how and where this is. If it's in a vein it's going to take a while as the blood has to circulate. Now, if it's in an artery it would be instantaneous.

Keep in mind that the syringe did not, or should not, have any air in it when the nurse/tech at the beginning of the blood draw.