During a clinical rotation on an orthopedic unit, a nursing student is caring for a 67-year-old patient who has undergone a knee replacement. The patient is complaining of pain at the IV site. The nursing student assesses the site and finds that the site is cool, blanched and slightly swollen. The student stops the IV and reports the situation to the nurse. What does the nursing student suspect?

D. Administering the injection in the love handles, 2 inches from the umbilicus. It is important not to remove the air bubble from the prefilled syringe, as it is designed to ensure the entire dose of medication is administered.

A. Enoxaparin should not be transferred into another syringe unless specifically instructed by the manufacturer or pharmacy guidelines. Pre-filled syringes are designed to deliver the correct dose accurately and safely.

B. It is important not to remove the air bubble from the prefilled syringe, as it is designed to ensure the entire dose of medication is administered.

C. A 30-degree angle is too shallow for subcutaneous injections and may result in the medication being deposited too close to the skin surface, potentially causing irritation or affecting absorption.

B When drawing medication from an ampule, especially if it's a solution that may contain particulate matter or to ensure sterility, using a filter needle is recommended. A filter needle has a membrane filter that prevents particles from being drawn into the syringe while allowing the medication to pass through.

A. Shaking a glass ampule is not recommended because it can lead to the introduction of glass particles or cause the solution to foam or become contaminated. Instead, gently flicking the ampule with a finger can help move any solution that may be adhering to the neck downward, but shaking should be avoided.

C. While wearing gloves is important for infection control, sterile gloves are not typically required for withdrawing medication from a single-dose glass ampule. Standard aseptic technique and hand hygiene are usually sufficient.

D. Ampules are designed to be opened by snapping the top away from the body to avoid potential injury from glass shards. The nurse should use a gauze pad or an ampule opener to break the ampule open safely, directing any breakage away from themselves and others.