Question about needle lengths

cpillow · Oct 8, 2005

Rhonda, the information that I've reviewed says that Decadron should not be administered SC at all as the solution is too caustic for SC administration and can cause tissue atrophy and necrosis.... The needle she used was for SC administration, and if I were in your shoes I would call my doctor in the morning to let him/her know what happened. In the mean time, watch the injection site and go to ER if the site looks like it is breaking down.....

irshnrse · Oct 8, 2005

I'm an LPN student; just started in Aug. I work at a family clinic and today received a Decadron injection for a prolonged sinus problem. The LPN that gave me the shot realized that she had used a 30 ga 5/8" instead of the 1 1/4. She brushed it off and said it would be fine. My question is: did the 5/8 in get into the muscle? And if it only went in subq, will the med be effective?
Thanks!
Rhonda

Unless you look like Kate Moss, I would imagine it went in subq. As for absorption, I don't know. Usually steroid inj are pretty deep (from my personal experience), I wouldn't think it would be as effective.

sbic56, BSN, RN · Oct 8, 2005

I'm an LPN student; just started in Aug. I work at a family clinic and today received a Decadron injection for a prolonged sinus problem. The LPN that gave me the shot realized that she had used a 30 ga 5/8" instead of the 1 1/4. She brushed it off and said it would be fine. My question is: did the 5/8 in get into the muscle? And if it only went in subq, will the med be effective?
Thanks!
Rhonda

She really should have used an IM needle. If you didn't get it in the muscle, it won't be absorbed as well. If you are quite slim, it may have hit the muscle. Where was the injection site? Hope you're feeling better!

nananurse2 · Oct 8, 2005

Well, I'm slender, but no Kate Moss! It was gluteal, so I'll keep an eye on it. Just want it to work! Tired of being congested!

sbic56, BSN, RN · Oct 8, 2005

Well, I'm slender, but no Kate Moss! It was gluteal, so I'll keep an eye on it. Just want it to work! Tired of being congested!

Darn, I was hoping you were going to say deltoid. Like someone else said....good idea to report that nurses practices!

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Oct 8, 2005

Well, it's water under the bridge now, so to speak since the injection was already given. It will get absorbed into the body. I'd worry more about a local skin reaction. Where did she get a 30g needle? That's pretty small. I always use at least a 1 inch needle for IM and will seek out a 2 inch needle for an obese person's IM.

nananurse2 · Oct 8, 2005

You know, we were talking and catching up (I hadn't been in in awhile with school) and I think it was prepackaged and she drew it up with that needle. She isn't incompetent.... it was just one of those "phooey" mistakes. I've had soft-tissue inj with Decadron and never had a problem, so believe I will be fine on this.

Thanks for all your input!

sbic56, BSN, RN · Oct 8, 2005

You know, we were talking and catching up (I hadn't been in in awhile with school) and I think it was prepackaged and she drew it up with that needle. She isn't incompetent.... it was just one of those "phooey" mistakes. I've had soft-tissue inj with Decadron and never had a problem, so believe I will be fine on this.
Thanks for all your input!

Then all is well, I bet if it came packaged that way. Just seems like a short needle. But, like you said it is used for soft tissue injection, so you are not at risk in that way... more is used in soft tissue than with an IM injection anyway. Just hoping you got enough of it, and preferably in the muscle so you can feel better quick!

Fiona59 · Oct 8, 2005

We always change needles after drawing up. Fresh needle is sharper and less irriation is caused because there is no meds on the needle...

nananurse2 · Oct 8, 2005

Yes, the nurses always change needles at our clinic also. She probably got distracted with all our talking and forgot. The good news is that the congestion is clearing and no problems at the injection sight.