Sub Q Injections

What are the sites for subcutaneous injections?

Abdomen, back of arm, thigh, buttocks, upper back, lower back (dorsogluteal area)

The nurse administering a subcutaneous injection to a client avoids massaging the site after injecting the medicine. Why is massaging the site contraindicated?

It can damage underlying tissue.

The nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous injection of insulin to a client. Which site would the nurse choose?

Outer aspect of the upper arm.

The nurse is teaching the student nurse where a subcutaneous injection is administered. How would the nurse describe the appropriate skin layer?

The adipose tissue layer, just below the epidermis and dermis.

The nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous injection for an adult client. The nurse knows that the volume of the injection is limited to how many milliliters of fluid?

1 mL

1 mL of insulin = how many units of insulin?

100 units

The nurse is demonstrating to a client with diabetes how to properly self-inject insulin. Which injection site would be most appropriate to recommend to the client?

Abdomen.

The nurse has just finished administering the 0800-prescribed 10 units regular insulin in the left arm using an insulin injection pen. What will the nurse include in the documentation?

Administered 10 units of regular insulin subcutaneous at 0800 in the left arm.

The nurse needs to prepare an insulin pen for injection of a prescribed dose of insulin. Place the following steps in the correct order. Use all options.

Clean the tip of the reservoir with alcohol. Screw the correct needle onto the reservoir. Dial the dose selector to 2 units. Hold the pen upright and press the plunger firmly. Watch for a drop of insulin at the needle tip. Verify the dose selector returned to "0."

The nurse has just finished administering an insulin pen injection on a client and documents the administration in the electronic health record. Which is the correct information to document?

The fact that the medication was given, the dose and the time, and the site.

How do you mix insulin?

inject air into cloudy, inject air into clear, draw up clear, draw up cloudy)

Insulin has what color cap?

orange