When using a filter needle, what purpose does it serve?

Using a filter needle primarily serves the purpose of preventing glass shards from entering a solution. When drawing up medications from vials, especially those that are glass, there is a risk of small glass particles breaking off and contaminating the medication. The filter needle is designed with a specialized filter that traps these particles while allowing the liquid medication to flow through. This is particularly important in ensuring patient safety and maintaining the integrity of the medication.

Other options, while they may seem relevant, do not accurately describe the function of a filter needle. For example, increasing the speed of infusion is related to the gauge of the needle and the size of the lumen, not the filter itself; mixing medications thoroughly is typically done with proper agitation or mixing techniques, and filter needles do not serve as a mechanism for removing air bubbles, which is accomplished through other syringe manipulation techniques.