There really isn't a simple answer to your question. It all depends on what was going on before the drip was hung. If the person has a running IV and an antibiotic or other medication is "piggy backed" in, then when that bag is dry the main IV fluid takes over and continues infusing. If there was no mainline IV but just a hep-lock, then the bag is removed and the lock flushed. Will it hurt the patient to have an empty bag hanging there for awhile? No. I think people are afraid that they are going to get air from the empty bag and tubing in to the circulatory system, but that doesn't happen because the blood pressure of the person keeps the air from being "sucked in" so to speak.
Same thing with the respiratory treatment. If the patient is continuing to get oxygen after the treatment it's not going to hurt them. Also, sometimes it sounds like the medication is all gone but there may still be some aersolized in the nebulizer. In other words, just because the bubbling sound stopped doesn't mean all the medication has been given. Sometimes the mask needs to be given a bit of a shake to get the medication to fall back down in to the area of the nebulizer where it can be mixed with the flow so it can be delivered.
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