Heparin Sites

1. What do you do if you have to give a pt a heparin injection and they have absolutely no fat on their abd. Think of an 80 y/o pt weighing 90lbs.

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2. 

   About stephmj

   Joined: Dec '06; Posts: 20; Likes: 4

   9 Comments

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3. 
   May 4, '08

   You give it very carefully in the abdomen. I hate doing it but the older nurses where I work are very skilled at it. I guess it is a matter of practice.
4. 
   May 9, '08

   Quote from stephmj

   What do you do if you have to give a pt a heparin injection and they have absolutely no fat on their abd. Think of an 80 y/o pt weighing 90lbs.

   Hi: I would look for another site with more fat, and of course administer it very slowlyand cautipus. i recently experienced myself: due to a car accident and the consequent general health breakdown,I received s/q heparin for 1 and 1/2 month, or at leas that was the period I have knowledge of, since before that I was unconscious. And due to an open abdomen, and ileostomy, I didn't want to receive the heparin in my abdomen. On the other hand my left leg had a major fracture as well as my pelvis, for that reason my thighs weren't eligibles. So I decided to receive it in my arms. My nurses were very good at it and I experienced a few bruises and not too much pain. What i'm trying to say is that you have to asses the patient before deciding the best site.
5. 
   May 9, '08

   Thanks so much for that information. There are always new things to learn on allnurses.
6. 
   Jun 25, '08

   Maybe try to use their love handles which may have more adipose tissue.
   The love handles are use for other heprins (Levaquin_)???? injections so if you see more tissue that you can bunch up go for it.
   
   

   Quote from stephmj

   What do you do if you have to give a pt a heparin injection and they have absolutely no fat on their abd. Think of an 80 y/o pt weighing 90lbs.
7. 
   Jun 25, '08

   Quote from Ilovemyanimals

   Maybe try to use their love handles which may have more adipose tissue.
   The love handles are use for other heprins (Levaquin_)???? injections so if you see more tissue that you can bunch up go for it.

   What do you mean by "other" heparins? Heparin is heparin. Do you mean other anticoagulants? (i.e. Lovenox) Levaquin is an antibiotic and I have never seen it given SQ.
   I have always been able to give heparin in the abdominal fatty tissue. Even if the pt is super thin, you can usually squeeze enough tissue to inject into...if that fails, I go for behind the arm!
8. 
   Jun 26, '08

   Quote from owensmommy

   What do you mean by "other" heparins? Heparin is heparin. Do you mean other anticoagulants? (i.e. Lovenox) Levaquin is an antibiotic and I have never seen it given SQ.
   I have always been able to give heparin in the abdominal fatty tissue. Even if the pt is super thin, you can usually squeeze enough tissue to inject into...if that fails, I go for behind the arm!

   yep, she means lovonex.
   
   i always manage to grab an abd fold, no matter how emaciated...
   and go in at approx 20 degree angle.
   i've also used triceps area.
   
   leslie
9. 
   Jun 26, '08

   Ah yes Levonox...Just graduated RN school so am still a bit rusty! We are told levonox can only be put into the love handles. Is that how it goes where you work???
10. 
    Jun 26, '08

    Quote from earle58

    yep, she means lovonex.
    
    i always manage to grab an abd fold, no matter how emaciated...
    and go in at approx 20 degree angle.
    i've also used triceps area.
    
    leslie

    ''
    
    Ah yes give me a big L for loser. hehe I did mean levonox. I am a just graduated Rn so am still a bit rusty. I was told by the preceptor that lovenox can only be given in the love handles. Is that how you practice that injection??
11. 
    May 7, '09

    I've taken care of pt's who literally had nothing but skin to pinch on their abd. Nurses before me had given heparin in the abd which caused massive bruising because they injected it into the muscle. The only fat I could find on this pt was a little bit on her thigh. I went in sideways and only halfway in, that's how emaciated this pt was.
    I've also had nurses tell me you can only give heparin in the abd. But heparin is suppose to be given subq, and if fat isn't avaible, I think you have to find the next best site.

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