A nurse is preparing to administer enoxaparin subcutaneously to a client using a prefilled syringe. The nurse should plan to use which of the following techniques when administering this medication?

Choice A rationale:

Pinching the tube while connecting the syringe to it could potentially damage the tube and does not aid in medication administration.

Choice B rationale:

Elevating the head of the client’s bed to only 10° may increase the risk of aspiration. The head of the bed should be elevated to at least 30° during medication administration and for at least an hour afterward.

Choice C rationale:

Flushing the tube with normal saline following medication administration helps ensure that all medication has been administered and helps maintain tube patency.

Choice D rationale:

Combining crushed medications together in a single syringe can lead to drug interactions and can also increase the risk of tube clogging. Each medication should be administered separately.

Choice A rationale:

Mixing insulin lispro and insulin glargine in the same syringe is not recommended. Insulin glargine has a different pH and mixing it with other insulins could affect its action.

Choice B rationale:

Insulin glargine is a long-acting insulin that is typically given once a day. It provides a steady level of insulin over a 24-hour period.

Choice C rationale:

Shaking insulin vials is not recommended as it can lead to inaccurate dosing. Instead, insulin vials should be gently rolled between the hands to ensure proper mixing.

Choice D rationale:

Insulin lispro is a rapid-acting insulin and should be taken right before a meal. This helps to control the blood glucose spike that occurs after eating.