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?
Like the others have said, with heparin you never aspirate, never massage and always give in the abdomen.
As far as aspirating with other sub-qs, you need to go with whatever the hospital policy is. Some want you to aspirate for all sub-qs, some don't want you to aspirate.
Thanks so much you guys! I read all your responses yesterday and they were just what I needed to know. I finally found all the information you gave me this morning when I thought to print out the procedure sheet from my med admin CD. There are so many materials (papers, books, CDs) with the nursing program that I sometimes completely space that I have certain resources in my possession!
Thanks again, it is so wonderful to have a place to go for support and information, you're all awesome!
Jennerizer, ASN, RN
728 Posts
You don't ever aspirate with sub-q's. Heparin is given in the abdomen at least 2" away from the umbilicus & always at a 90 degree angle.