The nurse is teaching a patient to self-administer subcutaneous heparin at home.What does the nurse include in patient teaching?

Question

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The nurse instructs the patient to grab a large pinch of skin and inject the heparin into the center of the skin fold at a 90-degree angle to deposit the medication into subcutaneous tissue.A 22-gauge needle is too large for a subcutaneous injection; a 25- or 27-gauge needle is a better choice because a finer needle creates a smaller hole.As a result,the medication tends to remain in the subcutaneous space,the patient is more comfortable,and the skin develops scar tissue more slowly.Changing needles is not necessary.Needles are never recapped; the patient at home should obtain a sharps container or use an impenetrable container to hold used needles.The patient should label the container to prevent injury to others.

The Nurse Is Teaching a Patient to Self-Administer Subcutaneous Heparin