Why we can't administer insulin near umbilicus?

[Pink68]

[h=1]What Is The Problem With Injecting Too Close to the Navel?[/h]

[Okami_CCRN, BSN, RN]

The tissue surrounding the umbilicus (around 2 inches) is considered scar tissue from birth. Thus the absorption of medication is negligible.

[KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN]

Or, alternatively, there is a group of veins near umbilicus which is directly connected with vena porta. The veins sit within these 2 inches around umbilicus, and accidental injection in any of them = insulin IV effect, with crushing hypoglycemia.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

FYI, it's not just insulin that cannot be injected too close to the navel area. It's all types of medications such as Lovenox, Forteo, etc.

The umbilicus is not the appropriate injection site for any injectable medication.

[Pink68]

Do you know the reason why? We all learn we can't administer medication near the umbilicus, but I can't find anywhere the rationale. Thank you.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Do you know the reason why? We all learn we can't administer medication near the umbilicus, but I can't find anywhere the rationale. Thank you.

The first two different members who previously posted to this thread provided excellent rationales as to why medications cannot be administered too close to the umbilical region.

[BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN]

Homework? What does your instructor tell you?

What Is The Problem With Injecting Too Close to the Navel?

[Pink68]

It's not homework, I'm not in school. The question was asked because like I mentioned previously, we are all taught not to, but even in nursing books an explanation is not given.

[abbnurse]

It's not homework, I'm not in school. The question was asked because like I mentioned previously, we are all taught not to, but even in nursing books an explanation is not given.

KatieMI's post above (post #2).....that was the rationale I learned in nursing school.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

It's not homework, I'm not in school. The question was asked because like I mentioned previously, we are all taught not to, but even in nursing books an explanation is not given.

Nursing books will not give you a rationale, because, it's implied that one would understand A&P, and use that as a springboard to understand landmarks for injections sites and discern what is appropriate.

[Pink68]

They give rationales for everything else, so why not for this.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

They give rationales for everything else, so why not for this.

Why should they when one is aware of A&P?