Questions Posed In Class: Week 5 – Parenteral Medication Administration Demonstration

Parenteral Medication Administration

What are the parts of a syringe called? (barrel, luer-lock tip, plunger…needles are NOT part of the syringe, they must be added)

When measuring medication, what part of the syringe needs to align with the gradation marks on the side of the barrel?

What is a filter needle used for? What is a blunt-tip needle used for? Should you use these needles for injection?

When is it appropriate to re-cap a needle? (unused needle) What method should you use to re-cap? (one-hand scoop)

Needles are measured in gauges, as the gauge number increases does the needle size get bigger or smaller?

What do you do to reduce the vacuum pressure in a vial to make it easier to draw up medications?

Why do we have to expel all air bubbles from the syringe before injections?

What assessment finding with any injectable medication would require immediate follow-up?

What should you do if you find the sharps container is full when going to dispose of your needle?

How should you cleanse the site chosen for an injection? (circular pattern moving outward from site)

What are the 5 rights and 3 checks of medication administration?

Intradermal injections

What needle gauge size is appropriate for intradermal injections? (25-27 gauge)

What needle length is appropriate for intradermal injections? (1/2 to 5/8 inch)

What angle is appropriate for giving intradermal injections? (5-15 degrees)

What are some purposes the intradermal route is most commonly used for?

What should the skin look like with proper intradermal injection administration? (blanching and wheal)

What volume of medication can be given by intradermal injection?

What sites are appropriate for intradermal injection?

What might the nurse do to make clear the location of intradermal injections done skin tests that must be read after a period of time?

Intramuscular Injections

What action should be taken for safety before giving an IM injection…particularly with vaccines? (educate about side effects and screen for allergies)

What needle gauge size is appropriate for IM injections? (18-25 gauge)

What needle length is appropriate for IM injections? (1-3 inches)

How will you choose what needle length to use? (client size, weight, muscle mass)

What angle is appropriate for giving IM injections? (90 degrees)

What are some common sites for IM injection? (deltoid, ventrogluteal)

How should you hold the syringe for an IM injection? (like a dart)

What should you check for after inserting the needle to avoid administration straight into the bloodstream?

What volume of fluid can be given by IM route?

How quickly should you inject the fluid? (over 10 seconds for 1 mL)

How long should you wait before withdrawing the needle? (10 seconds)

What comfort measures can be taken to ease the discomfort following IM injection? (cold compress)

What method should be used when giving IM injections of irritant medications?

How long after IM administration should you reassess the patient? (15 minutes)

Subcutaneous Injections

What should you ask the client before giving a subcutaneous injection? (where was the last shot given?)

What should you do if you palpate a firm nodule in the area selected for injection? (pick a new spot)

What actions should you take to protect patient privacy? (administer in a private place, only expose the small area needed for injection)

What sites may be used for sub-Q injection? (back of arm, abdomen, thigh)

What site is preferred for anticoagulant injection because it is the most reliable and predictable? (abdomen 2 inches from navel)

Do you have to wait 10 seconds after medication administration before withdrawing the needle?

How long after sub-Q administration should you reassess the patient? (30 minutes)

What needle gauge size is appropriate for sub-Q injections? (22-25 gauge)

What needle length is appropriate for sub-Q injections? (5/8 to 1 inch)

What angle is appropriate for giving IM injections? (45-90 degrees)

How will you choose what needle angle to use? (client size, weight, muscle mass)

Dosage Calc Practice

Given dose (mg or units) and concentration of medication on hand, find volume (mL)

Calculate dose for a pediatric patient with weight-based order