A nurse is completing discharge teaching with a client who has a new prescription for enoxaparin to treat unstable angina. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?
A.
“Administer this medication into your leg muscle.”.
B.
“Expel the excess air in the syringe before you administer the medication.”.
C.
“Insert the entire needle into your skin to administer medication completely.”.
D.
“Take ibuprofen for fever following administration of this medication.”.
The correct answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is C: “Insert the entire needle into your skin to administer medication completely.”
Explanation:
Enoxaparin, a low molecular weight heparin, is commonly prescribed for conditions like unstable angina to prevent thromboembolic complications. When teaching patients about self-administration, it’s crucial to focus on proper injection technique to ensure effective medication delivery and minimize side effects.
- Injection Technique: Option C is correct because, when administering enoxaparin, patients should insert the needle fully into the subcutaneous tissue. This ensures that the medication is delivered properly, maximizing its therapeutic effect while reducing the risk of bruising or incomplete absorption.
- Injection Site: Enoxaparin should be administered subcutaneously, typically in the abdominal area, rather than intramuscularly. This contrasts with option A, which is incorrect because intramuscular injection can lead to complications such as bleeding or hematoma, especially since enoxaparin can increase bleeding risk.
- Expelling Air Bubbles: Option B is incorrect for enoxaparin. Unlike some other injectable medications, it is generally recommended not to expel the air bubble in the prefilled syringes of enoxaparin. This air bubble helps ensure that the entire dose is delivered subcutaneously.
- Pain Relief Post-Injection: Option D is also incorrect. Ibuprofen can increase bleeding risk when taken with anticoagulants like enoxaparin. Patients should be advised to use acetaminophen instead for pain relief unless otherwise directed by their healthcare provider.
In summary, proper administration of enoxaparin involves ensuring the needle is inserted fully into the skin, using the correct injection technique and site, and being cautious about medication interactions and side effects. Discharge teaching should emphasize these points for safe and effective self-administration.