Administering Medications IV,SQ,IM

Question 1

IM equipment

Answer 1

Syringe: 2-3mL
Needles: 20-15g, 1-1.5" insert at 90 degrees
Meds: antibiotics, hormones, vaccines
Absorption: slow, sustained
Needs to be aspirated

Question 2

SQ equipment

Answer 2

Syringe: 1-3mL
Needles: 25-30g, 3/8”-1” insert 45-90 degrees. 90 if you pinch an inch or more of skin!
Meds: heparin, insulin
Absorption: Slow, fastest in stomach

Question 3

Insulin (SQ)

Answer 3

Syringes: 0.5ml-1mL
Needles: 28-30g, 5/16”-1/2”
Usually given in stomach

Question 4

Heparin (SQ)

Answer 4

Syringe: 1mL

Do not give in area 2” around umbilicus. Usually given in stomach

Question 5

Insulin: Lispro

Answer 5

Fast acting, lasts a short time. Used to control post-meal rise.
Onset: 10-15m, Duration: 4-6hr

Question 6

NPH & Lente

Answer 6

Immediate acting. White and cloudy in appearance, bottle needs to be rotated.
Onset: .5-1hr, Duration: 16-20hr

Question 7

Ultra Lente

Answer 7

Contains Zinc to give long lasting effects. Usually one injection a day with combination of insulin before meals.
Onset: 6-8hr, Duration: 20-30hr

Question 8

70/30

Answer 8

Mixture of 70% NPH and 30% regular. Usually given twice daily.
Onset: .5-1hr, Duration 24hr

Question 9

Novolin or Humulin

Answer 9

Insulin made from humans-used the majority of time. Others made from beef/pork.

Question 10

Pros to IV

Answer 10

Can control rate of admin
When rapid effect 
Avoid pain of other injections
Maintain constant rate
To allow prolonged reaction
When pt cannot tolerate PO fluids

Question 11

Cons to IV

Answer 11

Infection: assess site
Infiltration
Rapid, severe reactions: assess allergies
Physical or chemical incompatibility between drug and solutions: check drug compatibility
Vascular irritation: Run irritating drugs slower
Air emboli: Prime line