Subcutaneous Heparin Administration.
A nurse is preparing to administer heparin subcutaneously to a client.
Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take to minimize bleeding following the injection?
A.
Use the Z-track method to administer the medication.
B.
Grasp skin between thumb and forefinger throughout the injection.
C.
Aspirate the syringe prior to injecting the heparin.
D.
Gently massage the site following the injection.
To minimize bleeding following a subcutaneous injection of heparin, the nurse should:
B. Grasp skin between thumb and forefinger throughout the injection.
Here’s the explanation for each option:
- A. Use the Z-track method to administer the medication.
The Z-track method is typically used for intramuscular injections to prevent leakage of the medication into the subcutaneous tissue. It is not required for subcutaneous injections. - B. Grasp skin between thumb and forefinger throughout the injection.
This technique helps to stabilize the tissue and can reduce the risk of bleeding by ensuring that the needle is correctly placed in the subcutaneous tissue and preventing the medication from entering the muscle or causing excessive bleeding. - C. Aspirate the syringe prior to injecting the heparin.
Aspirating the syringe is not necessary for subcutaneous injections. It is more commonly done for intramuscular injections to check for blood return, which indicates that the needle might be in a blood vessel. - D. Gently massage the site following the injection.
Gently massaging the site after a heparin injection can increase the risk of bleeding. It is generally advised to avoid massaging the site to minimize bleeding and bruising.
Thus, the correct action to minimize bleeding is to grasp the skin between thumb and forefinger throughout the injection.