What term describes slight withdrawal of a syringe plunger after placement of the needle?

What term describes slight withdrawal of a syringe plunger after placement of the needle?

• A. Negative pressure
• B. Vacuole
• C. Aspiration
• D. Injection

Answer: (C)

Aspiration is the act of drawing back on the syringe plunger after the needle is in place to check for placement. This creates a small negative pressure inside the syringe; if blood appears in the syringe, it means the needle is in a blood vessel and you should reposition before injecting. If no blood is drawn back, you’re unlikely to inject into a vessel and can proceed with the injection. Vacuole is unrelated to injections, and injection refers to delivering medication, not the withdrawal check. Negative pressure describes the pressure change itself, but the term for the withdrawal action is aspiration.

Aspiration is the act of drawing back on the syringe plunger after the needle is in place to check for placement. This creates a small negative pressure inside the syringe; if blood appears in the syringe, it means the needle is in a blood vessel and you should reposition before injecting. If no blood is drawn back, you’re unlikely to inject into a vessel and can proceed with the injection. Vacuole is unrelated to injections, and injection refers to delivering medication, not the withdrawal check. Negative pressure describes the pressure change itself, but the term for the withdrawal action is aspiration.