The nurse is to administer enoxaparin 40 mg subcutaneously to the patient. Which technique is correct?

Choice A rationale:

Directly addresses the primary goal of preventing perioperative positioning injury: The absence of redness or breakdown in the skin is the most definitive indicator that the patient has not sustained any skin or tissue damage as a result of prolonged immobilization during surgery.

Focuses on the patient outcome, not just interventions: While interventions such as padding bony prominences and assessing skin prior to surgery are important, they are means to achieve the ultimate goal of preventing skin injury. This outcome statement directly measures the success of those interventions.

Aligns with best practices for pressure injury prevention: The National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP) and other expert organizations emphasize the importance of setting goals that focus on maintaining skin integrity and preventing injury.

Choice B rationale:

Addresses a crucial aspect of patient care, but not directly related to positioning injury: Maintaining privacy and dignity is essential for all patients, but it does not specifically address the risk of skin breakdown from prolonged immobilization.

Not a measurable outcome for positioning injury: It is difficult to objectively assess whether a patient's privacy and dignity have been maintained, making it less suitable as an outcome statement for this particular diagnosis.

Choice C rationale:

Describes an important intervention, but not a patient outcome: Padding bony prominences is a key strategy to reduce pressure and prevent skin injury. However, it is an action taken by the nurse, not a measurable outcome that reflects the patient's status.

Does not guarantee prevention of injury: Even with appropriate padding, patients can still develop pressure injuries if other risk factors are present or if repositioning is not performed adequately.

Choice D rationale:

Represents an essential assessment step, but not a final outcome: Assessing the skin prior to surgery is important for identifying areas that are at increased risk of breakdown. However, it is a preliminary step in the prevention process, not the ultimate goal.

Does not ensure prevention of injury: Identifying at-risk areas is helpful for targeting interventions, but it does not guarantee that skin breakdown will not occur.

Choice A rationale:

Incorrect. Mixing insulin detemir and insulin aspart in the same syringe is generally not recommended due to the following reasons:

Altered Pharmacokinetics: Mixing insulins can potentially alter their absorption and action profiles, leading to unpredictable blood glucose control.

Stability Concerns: The compatibility of different insulins in a mixed solution is not always guaranteed, potentially leading to precipitation or decreased potency.

Dosing Accuracy: Drawing up mixed insulins accurately can be challenging, especially when different dosages are required for each type.

Manufacturer Recommendations: Insulin manufacturers typically advise against mixing different insulins unless specifically instructed by a healthcare professional.

Choice B rationale:

Incorrect. While the order of drawing up insulins may have a minor impact on mixing, it does not address the fundamental concerns of mixing different insulins in the same syringe. The primary issue is the potential for altered pharmacokinetics, stability concerns, and dosing accuracy, as explained in the rationale for Choice A.

Choice D rationale:

Incorrect. Rolling insulin bottles between the palms is a technique used to gently resuspend insulin particles that may have settled at the bottom. However, it does not pertain to the correct procedure for drawing up different insulins for administration.

Choice C rationale:

Correct. Administering insulin detemir and insulin aspart using separate syringes and different injection sites is the most appropriate approach for several reasons:

Maintains Pharmacokinetics: It ensures that each insulin maintains its intended absorption and action profile, promoting optimal blood glucose control.

Ensures Stability: Using separate syringes eliminates the risk of potential incompatibility issues that could arise from mixing insulins.

Promotes Dosing Accuracy: Drawing up insulins in separate syringes allows for greater precision in administering the correct dosage of each type.

Aligns with Manufacturer Guidelines: This approach adheres to the recommendations of insulin manufacturers, ensuring safe and effective administration.

Additional Considerations:

Nurses should always consult the latest insulin administration guidelines and individual patient needs for optimal care.

Proper education and counseling should be provided to patients who require multiple insulin injections to ensure adherence and understanding of correct administration techniques.