Aspirating for blood when giving injections to infants?....Have the rules changed?

Mimi2RN, ASN, RN · Mar 15, 2006

My grandson got his second set of immunizations today. I was done with work and knew where they were so I stopped in. I got there just in time to see him get the immunizations. He got 4 in 4 different syringes which I realize is normal now-a-days. I don't ever like to make it known that I'm a nurse. It makes some people uncomfortable and I don't ever want to come across as a know-it-all so I just stay quiet on the subject. This young woman, probably early 20's came in with the syringes. The needles looked to be 23G 5/8". She stuck him twice in the front of each thigh. She was not far enough over to the lateral aspect and also did not aspirate for blood. It happened so fast but I watched her with all four injections. She promptly left the room. I was kinda stunned. My daughter was like "Mama" is something wrong? I told her I didn't think the immunizations were given properly. This young woman was very fast, I'll give her that, she was polite, she had no identification on. I'm thinking that I should go back there and discuss it with her or the office manager or the nurse, if they have one. I'm not looking to get her in trouble but gees that's my grandson and all those children are somebody else's. I've only gotten blood back once in 30 years while aspirating giving an IM injection. But hey it happens. What do you think I should do? Check it out? or Do Nothing?

Seems to me, we were taught to aspirate, and I still do. The staff in the dr's office now are usually MA's, and don't get the same training. As for needles, you can still use a 25 ga on a baby. I've given vaccinations and we never used 23 ga.

I have noticed that they don't wear name tags at my dr's office, and don't introduce themselves, but that's another thread. I know they are MA's, as I knew my doc's before she became one. She is good at her job, and is aware of her limitations.

Fun2, BSN, RN · Mar 15, 2006

Let's not turn this into yet another MA bashing thread, please!

The skill of giving good injections is one that some people have, some don't. NCLEX questions won't help anyone give better/less painful injections.

I know I once had a Pre-OP shot that I felt a year later from a RN. On the other hand, I (a medical assistant) have been told several times (like Leslie) that my shots do not hurt, and a letter was written to from a doctor/patient that 'it was the best shot he had ever received' and that 'he didn't feel a thing' and wanted to thank me, the Dr, and the other staff for the care.

Again, this thread has NOTHING to do with MA's giving injections. It has to do with one human's skill vs. another human's skill. Let's keep it that way. :uhoh3: :uhoh3: :uhoh3:

Thanks.

Now, anyone in N.S. school now care to answer the 'aspirating' question of what is being taught now?

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Mar 15, 2006

In the Uk when my kids had their shots, I never saw them aspirate once but The needles were very small dunno what size. But if I was to give an IM injection I would always aspirate-guess I need to find research to back up why I do.

Roy Fokker, BSN, RN · Mar 16, 2006

Again, this thread has NOTHING to do with MA's giving injections. It has to do with one human's skill vs. another human's skill. Let's keep it that way.

I agree...

Now, anyone in N.S. school now care to answer the 'aspirating' question of what is being taught now?

I already did. See my first response in this thread :)

Fun2, BSN, RN · Mar 16, 2006

I agree...
I already did. See my first response in this thread :)

Yes you did. :) However, I'm wondering if it's the same across the board. Are some schools teaching it's ok to not aspirate, and if so what are the terms?

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Mar 16, 2006

Well, now you've got me wondering...........I always aspirate when giving IM's and never gotten blood return, but then I've never given baby shots except for the times I worked in the newborn nursery at the hospital. My own grandson has KNOTS on his thighs where he got his most recent set of injections, and this is almost a month later!

What in the world may have caused these? They are barely noticeable to the eye, but they feel like firm nodules the approximate size of baby peas, and they are obviously sore---when I palpated the areas my daughter showed me, Eli whined and looked at me like "Grandma, why are you hurting me?" I've never seen such a thing before, and I'm concerned. I don't remember any of my kids having this after their shots..........they got a little feverish and irritable, but that was all. I didn't know what to tell my daughter, other than just to call the doctor's office and report it; it's probably nothing, but doggone it, this is my GRANDSON and I don't like feeling hard little lumps where he got his baby shots!

leslie :-D · Mar 16, 2006

marla,

when my chris was a baby, he too developed 2 areas of induration; 1 on ea quad.....BUT ea one developed into an abscess. his pcp had to lance and drain them and was forced to reveal that the vaccines had been contaminated. i honestly don't remember but i can't imagine the abscesses surfacing after a month. i would think it would be much sooner. other than that, i honestly don't know. i wouldn't hesitate in speaking with one of the nurses who works with the pediatrician. good luck marla!

leslie

luvmy2angels · Mar 16, 2006

We were taught to always aspirate and did so whenever giving IMs, except of course heparin etc, infants, children or adults...we were told to aspirate. I can't remember if they did or not with my children, I wasn't in school then so I had no clue what to be looking for.

Mimi2RN, ASN, RN · Mar 16, 2006

Let's not turn this into yet another MA bashing thread, please!
The skill of giving good injections is one that some people have, some don't. NCLEX questions won't help anyone give better/less painful injections.
I know I once had a Pre-OP shot that I felt a year later from a RN. On the other hand, I (a medical assistant) have been told several times (like Leslie) that my shots do not hurt, and a letter was written to from a doctor/patient that 'it was the best shot he had ever received' and that 'he didn't feel a thing' and wanted to thank me, the Dr, and the other staff for the care.
Again, this thread has NOTHING to do with MA's giving injections. It has to do with one human's skill vs. another human's skill. Let's keep it that way. :uhoh3:
Thanks.
Now, anyone in N.S. school now care to answer the 'aspirating' question of what is being taught now?

I'm not bashing MA's, I'm wondering if that's the reason that the person giving the injection had not been taught to aspirate. As I believe all RN's and LVN's have been taught to do so, what was this person taught? The only way we'll know is if the OP asks her.

leslie :-D · Mar 16, 2006

I'm not bashing MA's, I'm wondering if that's the reason that the person giving the injection had not been taught to aspirate. As I believe all RN's and LVN's have been taught to do so, what was this person taught? The only way we'll know is if the OP asks her.

i agree w/you mimi....i didn't think you were bashing ma's either.

leslie

Mimi2RN, ASN, RN · Mar 16, 2006

i agree w/you mimi....i didn't think you were bashing ma's either.
leslie

Thanks, Leslie:)

Fun2, BSN, RN · Mar 16, 2006

Wow, Marla. I'd definitely tell your DD to call your grandson's pediatrician. Poor baby.