Please help with Nursing 101....

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Specializes in PACU.

Okay, I am freaking out here.

My first day off orientation on a busy med/surg floor. I did not have a NA until 2 hours into my shift. (call offs) Nurse Manager never even came to see if I needed help- I was just trying to get through the morning. I was completely drowning.

I had 2 d/c, 2 adm. back to back to back to back. Didn't even get through to see all pts. (I had 6)

The one d/c was to have 20,000 units procrit before he left. Okay, I drew it up, it was 2ml SQ. Well, it looked like ALOT of medicine for a SQ injection. I went and asked the nurse next to me and she told me it was fine. (I found out later that she is not known for her skills and/or judgement)

I questioned this and it did not feel right, but I gave it because I felt she knew more than me.

Well, the pt seemed to really be in pain the whole time I was injecting him.

It just didn't feel right, and I didn't trust myself.

So when I came home, I looked in my Fundamentals book. Sure enough, that was too much for a SQ.

What should I have done? Should I have given 2 seperate inj. w/ 1ml each?

I am so scared I caused perm. damage to this man.

Should I go tell my nurse manager?

I am so scared. Please tell me what I should have done.

Bbuff

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In all my years of nursing I have found that it is better for you to admit to your mistakes right away, it is better for you to tell than for them to find out later.

Okay, I am freaking out here.

My first day off orientation on a busy med/surg floor. I did not have a NA until 2 hours into my shift. (call offs) Nurse Manager never even came to see if I needed help- I was just trying to get through the morning. I was completely drowning.

I had 2 d/c, 2 adm. back to back to back to back. Didn't even get through to see all pts. (I had 6)

The one d/c was to have 20,000 units procrit before he left. Okay, I drew it up, it was 2ml SQ. Well, it looked like ALOT of medicine for a SQ injection. I went and asked the nurse next to me and she told me it was fine. (I found out later that she is not known for her skills and/or judgement)

I questioned this and it did not feel right, but I gave it because I felt she knew more than me.

Well, the pt seemed to really be in pain the whole time I was injecting him.

It just didn't feel right, and I didn't trust myself.

So when I came home, I looked in my Fundamentals book. Sure enough, that was too much for a SQ.

What should I have done? Should I have given 2 seperate inj. w/ 1ml each?

I am so scared I caused perm. damage to this man.

Should I go tell my nurse manager?

I am so scared. Please tell me what I should have done.

Bbuff

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PACU.

I'm going to tell my manager- That I know now-

But I'm still wondering what the correct procedure should have been concerning 2ml SQ. Should I have given 2 seperate SQ injections w/ 1ml each?

Is there another way to go about this?

What is the CORRECT way to admin. more than 1ml SQ?

I guess that is my question now-

Thanks-

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I have always been taught that if it is greater than 2ml you give it IM, anything under you can give SQ. But maybe the med is to hard on the tissue and needs to be given IM. I personally would contact the pharmacy you use for the medication et ask them, they usually know.

Your boss will appreciate your honesty!!!

I'm going to tell my manager- That I know now-

But I'm still wondering what the correct procedure should have been concerning 2ml SQ. Should I have given 2 seperate SQ injections w/ 1ml each?

Is there another way to go about this?

What is the CORRECT way to admin. more than 1ml SQ?

I guess that is my question now-

Thanks-

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER/ICU/STICU.

I think the best thing to do would be to call the doc or the pharmacy. I would suggest the pharmacy first because they can be a great resource when it comes to meds and questions.

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