lovenox injections: SC, but where?

Saw a pt that got a sterile abscess in her upper arm. She says the nurses gave it there, but they denied it and said she must have given herself the injections there. She was pregnant and had to be re-admitted to the hospital. Who knows who caused it...her or the nurses??

I am a nursing student..My text book says that SQ injections can be given in a variety of places such as in the upper arm region close to the deltoid..I know that insulin is an SQ injection and my instructor told me to give it there..What makes lovenox different from other SQ injections , where the pharmacy writes specifically, SQ injections..

Never mind, I read in the internet, that lovenox can be given in the upper arm region

SQ is simply the route of administration as is PO, IM, etc... Some meds given IM specify "deep" IM or the package insert recommends deltoid, just depending on how aggravating to the tissues it is. I know Rocephin burns and really hurts. I wouldn't give it IM in the deltoid, because I know I wouldn't be able to move my arm after rec'ing it and the pt probably wouldn't either! Knowing which site to use comes from your education, experience and looking up the med or calling the pharmacy if you've never given it. When you are unfamiliar with a drug, it is best to ask seasoned nurses about the med and look it up. If you don't get all the info you want, call pharmacy for more and they should be a good resource.

Well when I was prego, and had to give myself this medication, I gave it in the thigh. Yes the abdomen is the best place for it to go, however because I was pregnant I could not give it there. I was informed to go with either the thigh or the fatty tissue in my arms.
I have a question for you, where would you have placed the injection (in the arm thigh or abdomen)??

I have a pt in LTC who receives Lovenox injections 60mg bid. I always give it in the abd. She told me one day that the first shift nurse had given it in her arm and it hurt really bad. She does have bruising on her abd, but they turn yellow and fade rather fast. I've had no complaints from her about pain, during or after the injection. BTW, this pt told me she never wanted another Lovenox injection in her arm, so it must have been a really bad experience for her. We also document on the MAR the site of injection right under our initial when we sign that the drug was given. This helps to rotate the injection.

I can imagine, from experience I know that the drug hurts it has a sting like you couldn't imagine. There were many times where i wish that they would have just put me back on heparin rather then this one, even if it meant that i had to inject it twice in the am and pm.

I give in the abdomen....that is about it...

Can still be given in the abdomen as long as you still have some SQ tissue, also can be given in the "love handles" as someone stated.

I was taught to ice the site for a few minutes before and after injection to minimize bruising and post injection bleeding. I've always given in the ABD.

to: Bala Shark you mention in your 05/2006 message that you found somewhere on the internet that lovenox can be given in the arm. By any chance do you remember where you read that? Thanks if you do or don't.