A nurse is preparing to administer heparin subcutaneously to a client.
Which of the following is an appropriate action by the nurse?
Use a 1-inch needle to inject the medication.
Use a 22-gauge needle to inject the medication.
Massage the injection site after administration of the medication.
Inject the medication into the abdomen above the level of the iliac crest.
The Correct Answer is D
“Inject the medication into the abdomen above the level of the iliac crest.” When administering heparin subcutaneously, it is appropriate to inject the medication into the abdomen above the level of the iliac crest 1.
Choice A is not correct because a 1-inch needle may be too long for subcutaneous injection.
A shorter needle, such as a 3/8 to 5/8 inch needle, is typically used for subcutaneous injections.
Choice B is not correct because a 22-gauge needle may be too large for subcutaneous injection.
A smaller gauge needle, such as a 25- or 27-gauge needle, is typically used for subcutaneous injections.
Choice C is not correct because massaging the injection site after administering heparin can increase the risk of bruising and should be avoided.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
This is the first step in controlling bleeding and preventing hematoma formation 1.
Applying direct pressure to the wound with a sterile gauze or a clean cloth can help stop the bleeding 2.
Choice A is not the best answer because a tourniquet should only be used as a last resort to control life-threatening bleeding from a limb 2.
Choice B is not the best answer because placing the client in a modified Trendelenburg position is not necessary for this situation.
Choice D is not the best answer because settling the client in a reclining position is not necessary for this situation.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The client should remove the used patch with medication areas to the inside and discard it in a closed receptacle 1.
Choice B is incorrect because the nitroglycerin patch should not be kept in place for 24 hours per day.
Instead, it should be worn for 12 to 14 hours and then removed 12.
Choice C is incorrect because while it is important to apply the patch to a clean, dry skin area with little or no hair that is free of scars, cuts, or irritation 1, there is no specific instruction to cleanse excess hair from the skin before applying the patch.
Choice D is incorrect because a second patch should not be applied if angina pain occurs.
Nitroglycerin transdermal patches are used to reduce the number of angina attacks over a long time and will not relieve an attack that has already started because it works too slowly 1.
Instead, the client should check with their doctor if they also need a fast-acting medicine to relieve the pain of an angina attack 1.
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