Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 79%
Simulated
A nurse is preparing to administer subcutaneous heparin to a client. Which of the following should the nurse take?
Correct answer
D
Rationale
The correct answer is D: Insert the needle at least 5 cm (2 in) from the umbilicus. This is crucial to prevent any potential harm to the abdominal organs located around the umbilicus. Inserting the needle too close could lead to injury or bleeding. Massaging the site after administering (A) is not recommended as it can cause bruising or discomfort. Using a 21-gauge needle (B) is not specified for subcutaneous heparin injections. Aspirating before injecting (C) is not necessary for subcutaneous injections, as the risk of hitting a blood vessel is low.