4,533 Posts
17 Posts
I am talking about IM..although I know you can do it sub-q, however, IM seems the best route to go. I am still learning my needle gauges and the viscosities of medications. The worst thing to do is used too small of a gauge and have a high viscosity med..I have been lucky enough to not have done that but have witnessed it with other nurses. And, in regards to IV..yes, dilute..its for more extreme cases. Thanks all for your input!! Your the best for new nurses :)
374 Posts
First, the best route for Vit K is oral if possible. It lowers INR just as fast as IV. Second, I never order it IM if I'm ordering injected. It's sub-Q, except for newborns then IM and as far as viscosity, it's watery and in newborns it's usually given with a 25ga needle and tuberculin syringe. In adult I'd use a regular 21ga needle of the appropriate length if I was giving IM.
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LegzRN
300 Posts
Are you talking about IM, SQ, IV? If IV, don't do it! Either refuse, or dilute it in a mini bag and run over 15-30 minutes.