What happens when an IV bag runs out of fluid?

Question

Its just one of those "I wonder what happens when...?" questions.

Anyone know/have any ideas?

So the blood flows back into the tube? Can you die from this?

Answer 1

If flow is not restored, the IV will clot off and half to be restarted. But there will be no harm to you. If the IV bag is running by gravity, the only way blood will flow back into the tube is if the bag is not held high enough. Again this is just a matter of flushing the iv tube and will not harm you.

Answer 2

IV is connected to vein in your hand or arm. When the fluid runs out of the tubing you do not have a gravity flow and the blood that is in your vein runs back into the tubing and causes a clot in the tubing. If the nurse is slack and does not change the IV and the blood causes a clot a new abacath or butter fly needle has to be started in an another vein or above the area that the old one was in.

Answer 3

I've been on IV fluids tones this year due to medical issues (Had Sepsis twice and also have Dysautonomia, which requires us to need more fluids and salt than a regular person). When my machine would start beeping or if the fluid bag was empty and someone didn't come in time (they usually do unless your on a horrible ward like I was once), your get back flow. Which means the blood will flow back out your IV and up the tubing. Mine has done this countless times. One day when it happened, I had back flow all the way upto the bag! I didn't pass out from blood loss but as soon as the IV was flushed, the old went back into me.

Answer 4

The IV alarms sounds and the Nurse reset the alarms or replaced IV solution.

Answer 5

nada thing ,now if its morphine start screaming in pain , it worked for me...