Question About Injections

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Hi, I was asked to give a sub-q dose of Dalteparin to a pt. It was given once daily as a preventative measure. It was one of the very small prefilled syringes. The actual needle sharp was slightly small than that of a insulin sharp. It had been a little bit since I gave a subq injection, and I was a little nervous. When I went to give it (in the arm as per pt's request), i was nervous and forgot to pinch the skin(which I realized right after), and I also injected it at 45 degree angle because I was so used to giving insulin at that angle (I just looked up on the pfizer website and they said it can be given between 45-90 degrees).

Do I have to worry about any adverse conditions developing? 24 hours later I checked the injection site and no apparent bruising/redness or discloration. Patient reports no pain.

When I gave it again the day after, I made sure to pinch the skin, and I also injected at a 90 degree angle. But I am still somewhat worried about the day before.

Thanks

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Specializes in LTC?Skilled and dialysis.

I prefer to give my SQ injections at an angle. At my facility we had a guy give the injection and the needle broke off in the skin.(cheap needle not because the nurse wasnt able to do this!) If i inject at an angle and this happens to me there is a bit of needle left sticking out to make removal easier.

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Specializes in psych, rural, palliative care,oncology.

I wouldn't be concerned.

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Ok... i cant believe i forgot the pinch the skin... it been awhile since I gave a subq and i was so nervous..

I gave the injection in the morning and for the rest of the shift the patient was fine, and I was on shift the next day and the patient was still fine. There was no bruising or abnormal skin at the site. I guess I was just worried that it may of punctured the muscle because I didnt pinch the skin... but the needle length was so small and I did do it on an angle... If it did hit the muscle, and adverse effects were to occur, something would of happened during my shift or the day after right?

Thanks

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Specializes in ICU.

You have nothing to worry about!

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

netgeek. . .will you quit worrying about this!!! I responded to your other post as well!!! I give my cat insulin subcutaneously twice a day with syringes that have a 1/2 inch needle. Sometimes I pinch up her skin and sometimes I don't. I just plunge that sucker in there. Never a problem and she's a cat. I used to worry that her skin wasn't thick enough. It is, bless her chubby little body. You would be surprised how much blubber we got--even the skinniest of us.

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lol .... Thanks Daytonite

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