USC Anesthesia Sub-I
Prepare the room
Photo lesson · 6 steps · ~6 min

Prepare and label induction syringes

Five correctly sized, double-labeled, capped syringes — drawn up only with your resident.

Find supplies
What you need (4)
Syringes: 20, 10, 5, 3, 3 mL4 blunt plastic cannulas + 1 needleDrug labels (from the counter dispenser)Blue sterile tip caps ×5
SyringeTipLabelUsual concentration (read the vial)
20 mLBlunt cannulaPropofol10 mg/mL
10 mLBlunt cannulaRocuronium10 mg/mL (5 mL vial)
5 mLBlunt cannulaLidocaine2% = 20 mg/mL
3 mLBlunt cannulaMidazolam1 mg/mL (5 mg/mL also stocked)
3 mLNeedleFentanyl50 mcg/mL
0 of 6 steps done
  1. 1Step 1 of 6 LA General workflow

    Get five syringes

    Do
    Take a 20 mL, 10 mL, 5 mL and two 3 mL syringes.
    Why
    Each size matches a drug’s usual volume.
    Check
    Sizes match the table above.
  2. 2Step 2 of 6 LA General workflow

    Get four blunt cannulas and one needle

    Do
    Grab four blunt plastic cannulas and one needle.
    Why
    Blunt cannulas draw from vials without needlestick risk. The needle is for fentanyl — it draws more easily.
    Check
    Packages intact.
  3. 3Step 3 of 6 LA General workflow

    Attach them

    Do
    Cannulas on the 20, 10, 5 and one 3 mL syringe; the needle on the other 3 mL (fentanyl).
    Why
    Each syringe is ready to draw its drug.
    Check
    Each twist-lock secure.
  4. 1 / 2
    4Step 4 of 6 Resident tip

    Label every syringe twice

    Do
    One label as a flag along the barrel, one wrapped around the base: propofol, rocuronium, lidocaine, midazolam, fentanyl.
    Why
    Readable from any angle on a crowded cart.
    Check
    Each label: drug name + concentration (e.g. “Propofol 10 mg/mL”), date/time and your initials. Don’t cover the volume markings.
  5. 5Step 5 of 6 LA General workflow

    Get the blue caps ready

    Do
    Set out one blue sterile tip cap per syringe.
    Why
    After drawing up and removing air, each syringe is capped so it can be carried safely.
    Check
    Five caps, packaging intact.
  6. 6Step 6 of 6 Standard practice

    Cap and line them up (after drawing up with your resident)

    Do
    Expel air, put the cannula or needle in sharps, cap each syringe and line them up.
    Why
    No exposed needles on the cart; your resident can pocket them for transport.
    Check
    Every syringe labeled, capped and air-free.
    Say
    “Induction meds drawn and labeled: propofol 10 per mL, rocuronium 10, lidocaine 2%, midazolam 1 mg per mL, fentanyl 50 mcg per mL. Want to check them?”

Common errors

  • Pre-labeling empty syringes for later
  • Identifying a drug by label color instead of reading it
  • Covering the syringe scale with a label
  • Leaving a filled syringe unlabeled, even briefly

Teach it back

Teach-back
Your resident says “give 2 of versed.” What do you say?
Answer
“Giving 2 milligrams of midazolam IV now.” — read back drug, dose with units and route, then wait for “yes.”

Compare with the finished setup

The whole morning setup. Your resident and the case decide the final equipment.

Done with this part?

Mark it prepared in your room checklist, then review it with your resident.

Next: IV kit
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