A nurse is collecting data from a client who is malnourished due to inflammatory bowel disease. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

A. Leave the needle in place for 10 seconds after the injection: Leaving the needle in place for approximately 10 seconds after administering a subcutaneous injection helps ensure full delivery of the medication and reduces the chance of medication leakage at the injection site.

B. Use a 5-inch needle for the injection: A 5-inch needle is excessively long for subcutaneous injections and would likely penetrate muscle tissue, increasing the risk of injury or incorrect medication administration. Subcutaneous injections typically require a needle length between ⅜ and ⅝ inch.

C. Inject the medication using the Z-track technique: The Z-track technique is used for intramuscular injections to minimize medication leakage and reduce irritation. It is not appropriate for subcutaneous injections, which are administered into the fatty layer beneath the skin, not deep muscle tissue.

D. Insert the syringe at a 15° angle during injection: A 15° angle is used for intradermal injections. Subcutaneous injections should be administered at a 45° to 90° angle depending on the client’s body mass to ensure the medication is delivered into the subcutaneous tissue, not the dermis or muscle.

A. Turn on loud music in client care areas: Loud music can increase noise levels, which contributes to environmental stress and can disrupt clients’ rest and recovery. It is generally contraindicated in acute care settings where reducing stress and promoting healing are priorities.

B. Assign different nurses to provide care for clients each day: Frequent changes in caregivers can increase client anxiety and stress by reducing continuity of care and trust. Consistent assignments promote familiarity, comfort, and better communication between clients and caregivers.

C. Restrict the number of visitors for clients: Limiting visitors helps reduce noise and overcrowding, which are common environmental stressors in acute care units. This strategy supports a calmer environment conducive to client rest and recovery while maintaining essential social support.

D. Offer the clients many choices regarding care: While offering choices can promote autonomy, providing too many options may overwhelm clients, especially those who are ill or stressed. Simplifying decisions helps reduce cognitive overload and environmental stress.