Sub Q Injection Question

Winner · Nov 20, 2004

The only thing I can think of is that Heparin SQ's don't get aspirated or rubbed, like other SQ's. ?????

totallytheresa · Nov 20, 2004

Maybe because you only give heparin in the abdomen, and you don't aspirate or massage? That's the only thing I can think of. And that's why I love it, since most people have plenty of SQ tissue in their abdomens! :rolleyes:

Hi guys,
I'm confused about the difference between two of our check-offs this week:
One is "Demonstrate giving a subcutaneous injection using the following criteria... " and the other says "Demonstrate giving a subcutaneous heparin injection using the following criteria..."
I'm not seeing in my reading where it is discussed that the injection would be done differently because it's heparin. Am I missing something very important here? Can you help me out?

EmilyCCRN · Nov 20, 2004

It is not necessary to aspirate during any subQ injections. Since any blood vessel you might hit in the subcutaneous tissue is very small, the blood vessel will break whether you aspirate or inject the medication, so there's no point in aspirating. And we don't massage or rub the injection site during any injection, not just heparin.

RedSox33RN · Nov 20, 2004

I say it's just the abdomen thing also.

We don't aspirate, since you're not in muscle, and you shouldn't rub or massage, because that can alter the absorption rate of the med (I know this from when I was on insulin shots, which needs to be absorped at a specific rate, especially the intermediate and longer acting ones).

MistyLou · Nov 20, 2004

I second or third the do not aspirate on sub-q injections. We only do Heparin injections in the abdomen as well.

Good luck!

klone, MSN, RN · Nov 20, 2004

Yep, don't massage the site for a heparin injection.

It's not necessary to aspirate for ANY sub-q injection.

NewEnglandRN, RN · Nov 21, 2004

We are taught to aspirate for sub-Q's except for Heparin and Insulin. They are both do not aspirate and do not massage.

All_Smiles_RN · Nov 21, 2004

I don't know if this is just with my school, but Heparin has to be rounded to hundreths, while everything else gets rounded to tenths when we calculate how much to administer. Also, I think you're supposed to use a tuberculin needle, which would be different than the rest of the subqs. Good luck.

...Jennifer...

Truly_Blessed · Nov 21, 2004

yep, I am w/the other posters...it's usually given in the abdomen, not aspirated, or rubbed after the injection...it causes alot of bruising.

hippienurse · Nov 21, 2004

We are taught to always aspirate w/ sub-q, unless it is Heparin or Insulin. I agree with the others that the only difference w/ Heparin is you do not aspirate and you only inject in the abdomen.

RNinRubySlippers, BSN, RN · Nov 21, 2004

yup thats the diff, dont aspirate or massage. Round to the hundreth.

have fun!