[stephmj]

What do you do if you have to give a pt a heparin injection and they have absolutely no fat on their abd. Think of an 80 y/o pt weighing 90lbs.

[loriangel14]

You give it very carefully in the abdomen. I hate doing it but the older nurses where I work are very skilled at it. I guess it is a matter of practice.

[Faby]

Originally Posted by stephmj

What do you do if you have to give a pt a heparin injection and they have absolutely no fat on their abd. Think of an 80 y/o pt weighing 90lbs.

Hi: I would look for another site with more fat, and of course administer it very slowlyand cautipus. i recently experienced myself: due to a car accident and the consequent general health breakdown,I received s/q heparin for 1 and 1/2 month, or at leas that was the period I have knowledge of, since before that I was unconscious. And due to an open abdomen, and ileostomy, I didn't want to receive the heparin in my abdomen. On the other hand my left leg had a major fracture as well as my pelvis, for that reason my thighs weren't eligibles. So I decided to receive it in my arms. My nurses were very good at it and I experienced a few bruises and not too much pain. What i'm trying to say is that you have to asses the patient before deciding the best site.

[loriangel14]

Thanks so much for that information. There are always new things to learn on allnurses.

[Ilovemyanimals]

Maybe try to use their love handles which may have more adipose tissue.
The love handles are use for other heprins (Levaquin_)???? injections so if you see more tissue that you can bunch up go for it.

Originally Posted by stephmj

What do you do if you have to give a pt a heparin injection and they have absolutely no fat on their abd. Think of an 80 y/o pt weighing 90lbs.

[owensmommy]

Originally Posted by Ilovemyanimals

Maybe try to use their love handles which may have more adipose tissue.
The love handles are use for other heprins (Levaquin_)???? injections so if you see more tissue that you can bunch up go for it.

What do you mean by "other" heparins? Heparin is heparin. Do you mean other anticoagulants? (i.e. Lovenox) Levaquin is an antibiotic and I have never seen it given SQ.
I have always been able to give heparin in the abdominal fatty tissue. Even if the pt is super thin, you can usually squeeze enough tissue to inject into...if that fails, I go for behind the arm!

[earle58]

Originally Posted by owensmommy

What do you mean by "other" heparins? Heparin is heparin. Do you mean other anticoagulants? (i.e. Lovenox) Levaquin is an antibiotic and I have never seen it given SQ.
I have always been able to give heparin in the abdominal fatty tissue. Even if the pt is super thin, you can usually squeeze enough tissue to inject into...if that fails, I go for behind the arm!

yep, she means lovonex.

i always manage to grab an abd fold, no matter how emaciated...
and go in at approx 20 degree angle.
i've also used triceps area.

leslie

[Ilovemyanimals]

Ah yes Levonox...Just graduated RN school so am still a bit rusty! We are told levonox can only be put into the love handles. Is that how it goes where you work???

[Ilovemyanimals]

Originally Posted by earle58

yep, she means lovonex.

i always manage to grab an abd fold, no matter how emaciated...
and go in at approx 20 degree angle.
i've also used triceps area.

leslie

''

Ah yes give me a big L for loser. hehe I did mean levonox. I am a just graduated Rn so am still a bit rusty. I was told by the preceptor that lovenox can only be given in the love handles. Is that how you practice that injection??