A patient has an order for a subcutaneous injection of insulin.
Into which of the following tissues will the nurse prepare to give this injection?
Into the patient’s intravenous line.
Into the patient’s vastus lateralis.
Into the fatty tissue of the patient’s abdomen.
Into the patient’s deltoid.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale:
Intravenous (IV) administration delivers medication directly into the bloodstream. This route is not appropriate for insulin because it would result in a rapid and potentially dangerous drop in blood glucose levels. Insulin needs to be absorbed more slowly to mimic the natural release of insulin from the pancreas.
IV administration also requires sterile technique and specialized equipment, making it more complex and time-consuming than subcutaneous injection.
Additionally, there is a higher risk of infection and other complications with IV administration.
Choice B rationale:
The vastus lateralis is a muscle in the thigh that is commonly used for intramuscular (IM) injections. However, IM injections are not typically used for insulin administration because they can be more painful and have a slower absorption rate than subcutaneous injections.
IM injections also carry a higher risk of hitting a blood vessel, which could lead to erratic absorption of insulin.
Choice D rationale:
The deltoid is a muscle in the upper arm that can be used for subcutaneous injections. However, the abdomen is generally the preferred site for insulin injection because it has a greater amount of subcutaneous fat, which helps to slow the absorption of insulin and provide a more consistent effect.
The abdomen is also a more convenient site for self-injection, as it is easily accessible.
Choice C rationale:
The fatty tissue of the abdomen is the ideal site for subcutaneous insulin injection because it provides slow and consistent absorption of insulin.
The abdomen has a rich blood supply, which helps to distribute the insulin throughout the body.
The subcutaneous tissue in the abdomen is relatively thin, which makes it easy to inject insulin without causing pain or discomfort.
The abdomen is also a large area, which allows for multiple injection sites to be used and rotated to prevent lipohypertrophy (thickening of the subcutaneous tissue).
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Rationale for Choice A:
Incorrect. While the patient is experiencing an allergic reaction, it is not moderate. The presence of difficulty breathing and a drop in blood pressure are signs of a severe, life-threatening anaphylactic reaction.
Anaphylaxis is a severe, rapid-onset allergic reaction that can lead to death if not treated promptly. It typically involves multiple body systems, including the skin, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, and gastrointestinal system.
Moderate allergic reactions typically present with localized symptoms such as hives, itching, and redness. They do not typically involve respiratory or cardiovascular compromise.
Rationale for Choice B:
Incorrect. The patient's symptoms are not consistent with food poisoning. Food poisoning typically causes gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. It does not typically cause hives, difficulty breathing, or a drop in blood pressure.
The timing of the symptoms, occurring 2 hours after receiving an antibiotic, strongly suggests an allergic reaction to the medication.
Rationale for Choice C:
Correct. The patient's symptoms are consistent with anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that requires immediate emergency treatment.
Key features of anaphylaxis include:
Skin involvement (hives, itching, flushing, swelling)
Respiratory distress (difficulty breathing, wheezing, tightness in the chest) Cardiovascular compromise (drop in blood pressure, lightheadedness, fainting) Gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)
Swelling of the tongue or throat
Rationale for Choice D:
Incorrect. The patient's reaction is not mild and cannot be treated with an antihistamine alone. Antihistamines are effective for mild allergic reactions, but they are not sufficient to treat anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis requires immediate treatment with epinephrine, which is a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of the allergic reaction.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Directly addresses the primary goal of preventing perioperative positioning injury: The absence of redness or breakdown in the skin is the most definitive indicator that the patient has not sustained any skin or tissue damage as a result of prolonged immobilization during surgery.
Focuses on the patient outcome, not just interventions: While interventions such as padding bony prominences and assessing skin prior to surgery are important, they are means to achieve the ultimate goal of preventing skin injury. This outcome statement directly measures the success of those interventions.
Aligns with best practices for pressure injury prevention: The National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP) and other expert organizations emphasize the importance of setting goals that focus on maintaining skin integrity and preventing injury.
Choice B rationale:
Addresses a crucial aspect of patient care, but not directly related to positioning injury: Maintaining privacy and dignity is essential for all patients, but it does not specifically address the risk of skin breakdown from prolonged immobilization.
Not a measurable outcome for positioning injury: It is difficult to objectively assess whether a patient's privacy and dignity have been maintained, making it less suitable as an outcome statement for this particular diagnosis.
Choice C rationale:
Describes an important intervention, but not a patient outcome: Padding bony prominences is a key strategy to reduce pressure and prevent skin injury. However, it is an action taken by the nurse, not a measurable outcome that reflects the patient's status.
Does not guarantee prevention of injury: Even with appropriate padding, patients can still develop pressure injuries if other risk factors are present or if repositioning is not performed adequately.
Choice D rationale:
Represents an essential assessment step, but not a final outcome: Assessing the skin prior to surgery is important for identifying areas that are at increased risk of breakdown. However, it is a preliminary step in the prevention process, not the ultimate goal.
Does not ensure prevention of injury: Identifying at-risk areas is helpful for targeting interventions, but it does not guarantee that skin breakdown will not occur.
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