Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: thedoc on 04/12/2016 08:53:02

Title: Why shouldn't you add drugs to a blood transfusion line?
Post by: thedoc on 04/12/2016 08:53:02

Martin Kilgore asked the Naked Scientists:
   I was a registered nurse for many years before I recently retired. During that time I was told that one must never, NEVER piggyback a medication into a blood line. However, I could never understand why this should be so, since the med will get into the blood anyway. I always hated to stick the patient in another vein without a good reason. Can you settle a point which has been like a burr under my saddle for these many years. Is it one of those things that is just done that way because it always has been?

Thank you,

Martin Kilgore RN
What do you think?