A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who is planning to complete a living will. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?

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. Increase in protein requirements: Protein needs may slightly increase with age to maintain muscle mass, but this does not directly cause weight gain. Instead, inadequate protein may contribute to muscle loss.

B. Increase in fluid requirements: Older adults typically have decreased thirst sensation, not increased fluid needs. Weight gain is not directly linked to hydration needs but more to energy balance.

C. Decrease in vitamin intake: While older adults may have reduced vitamin intake due to dietary changes, this affects micronutrient status rather than causing significant weight gain.

D. Decrease in muscle mass: Sarcopenia, the loss of muscle mass with aging, lowers basal metabolic rate. This decreases calorie expenditure, making it easier to gain weight even with unchanged food intake.