Re: Administering heparin and insulin SQ Originally Posted by melvinsgirl 
I am a nursing student. During clinicals I had a patient with a fresh abdominal incision and a PICC line in his left arm. I wasn't administering medication for him that day, but it made me wonder? If his abdomen was too sore for the heparin injection and his right upper arm was to be used for his insulin injection, where would I inject the heparin? Can both heparin and insulin be injected in the same arm? Thanks
Insulin can be injected in either arm(Picc line would not interfere ,there generally lots of sq tissue in the back of arm). Insulin can be given in thighs ,abdomen ,away from the incision,if needed. But heparin can only be given in the abdomen. Was it low dose to prevent blood clots? That is always given in the "love handles" not in middle of abdomen.
Regular heparin is generally given by IV drip but not sure about why giving to a fresh abdominal surgery. Hope I am being clear. But as always follow hospital policy, look it up.
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