here we go from another site I haven't gotten back to work yet to get the numbers for all syringes but it's similar to why you can lay on a bed of nails but not on a single nail:
The force may appear to be greater... but the amount of pressure exerted to flush the lumen is actually less. The greater force you believe is being exerted is due to the smaller lumen of the line... not due to the size of the syringe.
"When infusing IV fluids via syringe, the key pressure issues are force and internal diameter. The hand exerts force (F) across the syringe plunger (A). Applying the same force, a 3mL syringe produces a higher pressure than a 10mL syringe. " Resistance and Pressue in Effective IV Therapy, http://www.baxter.com/doctors/iv_the...ssure.html#dyn
Here is the math: A 10cc syringe has a diameter (A) of 16mm. A 3cc syringe has a diameter (A) of 7mm. If, for example, the force/pressure exerted (F) is 50... then for a 10 cc syringe 50(F) divided by 16(A) = 3.125 psi. In the case of the 3cc syringe, 50 (F) divided by 7(A) = 7.15 psi.
THAT is the rationale for using the larger syringe for flushing... in this case, bigger IS better.
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BTW, I always finish with a saline flush after giving back the waste.