A nurse is preparing to administer enoxaparin 5,000 units subcutaneous to a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Insert the needle at a 45° or 90° angle.
Hold the skin taut during administration
Massage the injection site after administrating the enoxaparin.
Use a 4 cm (1.6in) needle
The Correct Answer is A
A. Insert the needle at a 45° or 90° angle. Enoxaparin is administered subcutaneously, and subcutaneous injections should be given at either a 45° or 90° angle, depending on the client’s body size and the amount of subcutaneous tissue available. A 90° angle is typically used for clients with more subcutaneous tissue, while a 45° angle is appropriate for those with less.
B. Hold the skin taut during administration. When giving subcutaneous injections, the skin should be gently pinched rather than held taut. Pinching helps ensure the medication is delivered into the fatty tissue rather than the muscle, reducing the risk of intramuscular injection, which can increase bleeding risk with anticoagulants like enoxaparin.
C. Massage the injection site after administering the enoxaparin. Massaging the injection site is contraindicated because it can cause tissue irritation, bruising, and increased risk of bleeding. Instead, gentle pressure may be applied with a gauze pad if necessary to minimize bleeding.
D. Use a 4 cm (1.6 in) needle. A needle length of 4 cm (1.6 inches) is too long for a subcutaneous injection and increases the risk of intramuscular administration, which could lead to increased bleeding and bruising. The recommended needle length for subcutaneous injections is typically ½ inch (1.25 cm) to ⅝ inch (1.6 cm) to ensure proper medication delivery.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. "I can discontinue this medication after one negative sputum culture." Treatment for tuberculosis requires a long-term regimen lasting at least 6 months, even if the sputum culture becomes negative. Discontinuing rifampin too early increases the risk of drug resistance and treatment failure. The client must continue therapy as prescribed and complete the full course.
B. "I should take this medication on an empty stomach." Rifampin should be taken on an empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after meals) to improve absorption and effectiveness. Food can reduce the bioavailability of the drug, making it less effective in treating tuberculosis. If gastrointestinal discomfort occurs, the client should consult their provider before making adjustments.
C. "I should expect to have ringing in my ears." Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) is not a common side effect of rifampin. Ototoxicity is more commonly associated with aminoglycosides (e.g., streptomycin) or vancomycin. Rifampin’s notable side effects include hepatotoxicity, red-orange discoloration of body fluids, and gastrointestinal disturbances.
D. "I can expect to have joint pain." While rifampin can cause mild flu-like symptoms, including fatigue and muscle aches, persistent joint pain is not a typical side effect. If joint pain occurs, it may be related to another condition, such as drug-induced hepatotoxicity or an adverse reaction to other tuberculosis medications (e.g., pyrazinamide, which can cause gout-like symptoms).
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Lower the head of the client's bed. There is no need to lower the client’s head of the bed in response to receiving glipizide instead of guaifenesin. Glipizide is an oral antidiabetic medication used to lower blood glucose, while guaifenesin is an expectorant for respiratory conditions. Lowering the head of the bed does not address the potential effects of receiving the wrong medication.
B. Check the client for urinary retention. Glipizide does not cause urinary retention. Instead, it stimulates insulin release to lower blood sugar. If hypoglycemia occurs due to an unintentional dose of glipizide, symptoms such as sweating, dizziness, confusion, or tremors are more concerning than bladder dysfunction.
C. Offer the client a carbohydrate snack. Since glipizide lowers blood glucose levels, administering it instead of guaifenesin could result in hypoglycemia, particularly in a client who does not have diabetes. The nurse should monitor for signs of low blood sugar, such as shakiness, confusion, diaphoresis, and dizziness, and provide a fast-acting carbohydrate (e.g., juice, crackers, or glucose tablets) if symptoms develop.
D. Test the client’s deep-tendon reflexes. Glipizide does not affect neuromuscular function or deep-tendon reflexes. While severe hypoglycemia can cause altered mental status or seizures, routine reflex testing is not necessary for monitoring the effects of an incorrect glipizide administration.
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