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Question:

If a properly inserted IV plastic tube were inserted without being attached to a bag, would exsanguination?

Would exsanguination happen? Say the plastic tube is inserted and then left ignored. Blood flows out through the tube.Would the blood clot in the tube? Would the vein involved constrict and cut off flow? Would the patient die?

Answer:

It's unlikely that the patient would exsanguinate, especially if we are talking about a peripheral IV and not a central line. Yes, it is possible for blood loss to occur. Yes, blood can clot in the tube. This is what heplocks and flushes are for--to prevent this kind of thing when you don't have anything flowing through the IV.
It'll make a mess on the floor, but you wouldn't bleed to death.
If the tubing was a large bore / gauge / diameter, and the venous pressure remained elevated, then yes someone could be exsanguinated in this manner. Venous pressure would be maintained if the open vein was closer to the ground than the rest of the body (eg. arm hanging down or lying head-down with iv in neck).

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