New here! And WDYD, when a acquaintance asks for you to give admin their med

whipping girl in 07, RN · Aug 11, 2009

I give my friend her Depo-Provera shot every three months because it's IM and it would probably be hard to hit that muscle yourself. I guess I could have some liability but I've never really thought about it.

If you don't feel comfortable doing it, don't do it.

Seems to me if she's gung-ho enough about getting preggers to take fertility meds then she should learn how to give her own injection. Maybe there is something else going on? Maybe she's fearful that it won't work and only lead to more disappointment and pain from continuing infertility? Maybe you could offer to be there when she does it for moral support and even show her how to do it but not do it for her.

miss81, BSN, RN · Aug 11, 2009

I have given my friends their depo provera injections and B12 injections but I was comfortable with it. Now, I'm sure I'll get chewed out for this on here but I really didn't mind. These people were nurse too so that may have been why I was comfortable. If you're not comfortable with it you should be honest with her and perhaps say, "It's not that I don't WANT to do this for you, but to be honest I'm not that comfortable administering a medication that I'm not familiar with outside of the hospital setting." It's your nursing license and just like you wouldn't do something at work to a pt that you were not comfortable doing, you shouldn't risk you license and sanity for your acquaintance. Just my :twocents: Good Luck

Whispera, MSN, RN · Aug 11, 2009

This would be the one time in a million that you hit an artery! If you're uncomfy about doing it, don't do it!

mom4josh · Aug 11, 2009

Yes, I have given injections, mostly just insulin, and haven't worried about it. But you shouldn't do anything you don't feel comfortable with. What's okay for one is not always okay for the other. Do what you think is right.

catlynLPN · Aug 11, 2009

I gave one injection for a neighbor once, but I'm not comfortable with it either.

On my job, staff people there expect the nurses to check their B/P's all the time.

It's just like clinic day for blood pressure checks, all for staff, everyday.

Then they ask you, is this normal, what should my blood pressure be and on and on.

I don't understand why they don't stop by their doctor's office and have THEM check it, or just go buy one of those self check cuffs and do it themselves.

There's alot of variation with different nurses and different cuffs.

Sorry, didn't mean to derail...back to original question. This is just a pet peeve of mine.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Aug 11, 2009

I've given SQ insulin injections to my father, but I can be assured that he won't attempt to sue me if something were to go terribly wrong. :coollook:

lovingit · Aug 11, 2009

I've given SQ insulin injections to my father, but I can be assured that he won't attempt to sue me if something were to go terribly wrong.

Word! That's totally how I feel! lol

I'll just need to bite the bullet to tell her. I've given Depo to friends, and insulin to my dad out of the hospital setting, but I have a level of trust for these people. Argh.

Thank you everyone! So awesome to commiserate here!

KneKno · Aug 11, 2009

Since it is a "home administered" medication, could you suggest that someone she sees more often (is more readily available) be taught by the prescribing physicians office to give the injection to her? In this kind of case, it doesn't have to be a nurse, a relative or friend can be taught, and they wouldn't have the same legal liability as an RN.

debi49 · Aug 11, 2009

I used to give my Aunt her B12 shots before her death but havenot been asked to do anything else. The staff at her fertility clinic should take the responsiblity to teach her. I always did when teaching people to do there own insulin, b12, luvonex. Maybe offer to be there the first time she gives herself the shot for moral support and to coach her, if you even feel comfortable with that.

opus13 · Aug 12, 2009

As an RN, Paramedic and father of an IVF daughter I'd advise you not to do it but not for liability reasons. IVF meds are twice a day and time sensitive you must be available at the same time every morning and evening to give them. My wife would chase my calls when I was on the ambulance to make sure she got her injection at the right time. That being said, even with my experience my wife, also an RN, went through hell, it is a lot of injections and they burn. Most IVF meds are subQ but when the time comes for progesterone it is horrible. Progesterone is deep IM and needs to be given in the glut because of volume, and it is so thick that it is thined with sterile olive oil, and it is still horrible, we used to ice the site first to make it bearable. Also if your friend goes through more than one cycle would you really want to be available twice aday for several months?

Only a spouse or really close friend or family member should cause someone so much pain.

Maybe you could help by talking the husband through the first few injections or suggest that the fertility clinic watch the husband give the first few because in the end like it or not he's the best man for the job.

BTW my daughter is now 2 and a half and I still thank my wife every day for putting herself through 3 cycles so that we could have our daughter. I like to say if men got pregnant ther wouldn't be natural childbirth or IVF because most of us men are such wimps. :yeah:

lovingit · Aug 13, 2009

Thank you everyone!

I ended up emailing her back and told her that I am available to support her by coaching her through, and being there even when she and her husband are together, when her husband gives her the shot. She hasn't written me back and it's been over a day, so we'll see? She is an acquaintance and I hope that she sees where I am coming from. :shrug:

I appreciate everyone's input!!!!