less painful heparin injections? - Page 3

Use a brand new needle. Usually the doc orders 5,000 units (1cc vial) of heparin SQ Q12H. We have prepackaged 3cc syringes with a 23-gauge 1" needle. I'll use that to draw it up and then switch out for brand new 5/8" needle. No one has really ever said a word but it also depends on the patient.

And PLEASE rotate sites!!!! I took care of a patient who was getting Lovenox injections in the same side/area for 3 days and there was a TON of bruising and it felt like a VERY hard mass in the area I don't know what that nurse or those nurses who had this patient before me were thinking

Distraction. I have them take a deep breath in while I count to 3. When I say 3 they blow out hard, like blowing out candles and I go for it. I've had many people say they didn't even realize I was done. Distraction is a great thing! lol

Air bubble "locks" medication in place and prevents leakage and other post said, "bruising."