"Do not Expel Air?"

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Hey guys,

What does "do not expel air" mean relative to the SubQ injection? I'm referring to one of the samples in the EC study guide.

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Specializes in Utilization Management.

Maybe the air bubble that is in a Lovenox syringe? You're not supposed to expel the air prior to administering it subQ...but I could be wrong since I haven't seen the study guide you're referring to :)

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Maybe the air bubble that is in a Lovenox syringe? You're not supposed to expel the air prior to administering it subQ...but I could be wrong since I haven't seen the study guide you're referring to :)

Yes, the example order (CPNE 16ed study guide) reads: Lovenox 30mg subq-do not expel air; administer in abdomen.

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

In regards to not expeling air in the lovenox syringe prior to injecting.

The tiny amount of air should be floated up to syringe before injection ( the end opposite of the needle) so that it is the final part of the injection. This has the effect of clearing the med completely through the syringe and needle, and "locking" it in to the tissue. Lovenox (more so than heparin) can often cause excessive hematoma formation, and this often helps lessen this and make the drug more likely not to leak out.

The drug also is preferred to be placed in the abdomen, rather than arms or legs - this also tends to insure a certain rate of absorbtion (not faster or slower) as well as prevent really large hematomas.

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In regards to not expeling air in the lovenox syringe prior to injecting.

The tiny amount of air should be floated up to syringe before injection ( the end opposite of the needle) so that it is the final part of the injection. This has the effect of clearing the med completely through the syringe and needle, and "locking" it in to the tissue. Lovenox (more so than heparin) can often cause excessive hematoma formation, and this often helps lessen this and make the drug more likely not to leak out.

The drug also is preferred to be placed in the abdomen, rather than arms or legs - this also tends to insure a certain rate of absorbtion (not faster or slower) as well as prevent really large hematomas.

GREAT explanation...thanks.

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