Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 93%
Simulated
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?
Correct answer
A
Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Grasping the skin between the thumb and forefinger creates tension, which helps prevent bleeding by stabilizing the tissue during the injection. This technique minimizes the risk of inadvertently nicking a blood vessel, reducing the likelihood of bleeding at the injection site. It also ensures accurate delivery of the medication into the subcutaneous tissue.
Incorrect Choices:
B: Aspirating the syringe is not necessary for subcutaneous injections as it is done for intramuscular injections to check for blood return.
C: The Z-track method is used for intramuscular injections to prevent medication leakage, not for subcutaneous injections.
D: Massaging the site can increase the risk of bleeding and should be avoided following a subcutaneous injection.
Rationale: Grasping the skin between the thumb and forefinger creates tension, which helps prevent bleeding by stabilizing the tissue during the injection. This technique minimizes the risk of inadvertently nicking a blood vessel, reducing the likelihood of bleeding at the injection site. It also ensures accurate delivery of the medication into the subcutaneous tissue.
Incorrect Choices:
B: Aspirating the syringe is not necessary for subcutaneous injections as it is done for intramuscular injections to check for blood return.
C: The Z-track method is used for intramuscular injections to prevent medication leakage, not for subcutaneous injections.
D: Massaging the site can increase the risk of bleeding and should be avoided following a subcutaneous injection.