Skill Checklists for Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills: A Nursing Process Approach

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Copyright © 2011 by Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Skill Checklists for Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills:

SKILL 5-7

Administering a Subcutaneous Injection (Continued)

Comments

15. Identify the patient. Usually, the patient should be
    identified using two methods. Compare information
    with the CMAR/MAR.
    a. Check the name and identification number on the
    patient’s identification band.
    b. Ask the patient to state his or her name and birth date,
    based on facility policy.
    c. If the patient cannot identify him- or herself, verify the
    patient’s identification with a staff member who knows
    the patient for the second source.


16. Close the door to the room or pull the bedside curtain.


17. Complete necessary assessments before administering med-
    ications. Check the patient’s allergy bracelet or ask the
    patient about allergies. Explain the purpose and action of
    the medication to the patient.


18. Scan the patient’s bar code on the identification band, if
    required.


19. Put on clean gloves.


20. Select an appropriate administration site.


21. Assist the patient to the appropriate position for the site
    chosen. Drape, as needed, to expose only area of site to be
    used.


22. Identify the appropriate landmarks for the site chosen.


23. Cleanse the area around the injection site with an antimi-
    crobial swab. Use a firm, circular motion while moving
    outward from the injection site. Allow area to dry.


24. Remove the needle cap with the nondominant hand,
    pulling it straight off.


25. Grasp and bunch the area surrounding the injection site or
    spread the skin taut at the site.
    26.Hold the syringe in the dominant hand between the
    thumb and forefinger. Inject the needle quickly at a 45-
    to 90-degree angle.


26. After the needle is in place, release the tissue. If you have a
    large skin fold pinched up, ensure that the needle stays in
    place as the skin is released. Immediately move your non-
    dominant hand to steady the lower end of the syringe.
    Slide your dominant hand to the end of the plunger. Avoid
    moving the syringe.


27. Inject the medication slowly (at a rate of 10 sec/mL).

ExcellentSatisfactoryNeeds Practice