So we've all been there...you have a 30-some kilo very ill lady to whom you need to administer Lovenox..
This seems like a dumb question, but is it possible to puncture/damage the intestines or other underlying organs of a very emaciated patient by administering Lovenox at the recommended 90-degree angle? I know the needle is only 1/2 inch...but it scares me because pinching up the skin on these patients is just that, only skin. Doing that would result in an intradermal injection and likely a needle stick for the me. I want to give these injections properly in the proper tissue but I also don't want to put myself at high risk for needle stick injuries...I have tried introducing the needle only about half way into the tissue (without pinching skin) to prevent the medication from being injected too deep and hitting musculature. Several of my coworkers say that hitting organs is impossible and it's actually not necessary to pinch up fat as the needle is so short.
I have heard of a few rare cases of muscular hematomas resulting from lovenox but never any organ damage? What do you guys think? Any tips for giving Lovenox to very very emaciated patients? This has always bothered me.
