Author Question: The nurse is administering insulin by subcutaneous injection to a very thin patient. Which ... (Read 61 times)

Melani1276 · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

The nurse is administering insulin by subcutaneous injection to a very thin patient. Which adjustment in injection technique does the nurse use to reduce the risk for complications?

a. Selecting a 30-gauge needle rather than a 28-gauge needle
b. Switching the injection site to the thigh rather than the abdomen
c. Applying pressure for at least 5 minutes after removing the needle
d. Placing the needle at a 45-degree angle rather than at a 90-degree angle

Question 2

Why does the nurse avoid aspirating the syringe before injecting an insulin dose?

a. There are no blood vessels in subcutaneous tissue.
b. The needle is too thin to penetrate the wall of a vein.
c. Tissue can be damaged by pulling it into the needle.
d. Aspirating blood into the syringe affects insulin activity.

orangecrush · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

D
A very thin patient has a thinner layer of subcutaneous tissue anywhere in the body compared with a patient of normal weight. Injecting at a 90-degree angle could penetrate through the thin patient's subcutaneous tissue and allow the drug to enter a muscle, which could then be absorbed too rapidly.

Answer to Question 2

C
Blood vessels in subcutaneous tissue are small and it is not necessary to check for a blood return. Pulling tissue back into the needle can cause bruising and other tissue damage.