A nurse is assisting in the plan of care for a client who has hypernatremia. Which of the following IV solutions should the nurse plan to initiate?

A. A filter needle is used when withdrawing medication from an ampule, but it is not used to administer the injection. After withdrawal, the filter needle should be replaced with a regular IM needle for administration.
B. The ampule should be broken by snapping the neck away from the body, not by bending it to the side, to prevent injury.
C. The nurse should gently tap the top of the ampule, not the bottom, to move the solution downward before opening.
D. The correct technique is to insert the needle into the center of the ampule to withdraw medication, ensuring that the bevel remains below the fluid line to avoid drawing up air.

B. Subcutaneous injections are generally administered at a 45° or 90° angle, depending on the amount of subcutaneous tissue present. In obese clients, there is typically more subcutaneous tissue, so inserting the needle at a 90° angle may be necessary to ensure proper medication absorption.

A. A smaller gauge needle (such as 25 or 26 gauge) is usually more appropriate for subcutaneous injections to minimize discomfort and tissue trauma, especially in obese clients where there is more subcutaneous tissue.

C. Massaging the injection site after administering heparin is not recommended. It can cause discomfort, bruising, and potentially alter the absorption rate of the medication. The injection site should be gently

pressed with a dry gauze pad after withdrawal of the needle to help disperse the medication and prevent leakage, but massaging should be avoided.

D. Aspiration is not necessary for subcutaneous injections. It is generally used for intramuscular injections to ensure the needle is not in a blood vessel, which is less of a concern for subcutaneous injections. The injection technique involves pinching the skin and injecting the medication into the subcutaneous tissue without aspirating.