SC Injections

Question 1

What is a SC injection

Answer 1

injection into the fatty layer under the skin

Question 2

T or F: SC injected drugs have a slow absorption

Answer 2

T - poor blood supply so takes at least 30 mins for absorption to occur

Question 3

What factors impact drug absorption rate in injections

Answer 3

Physical exercise/activity: increase BF — increase rate of A

Application of hot or cold compresses: cold decrease BF + rate of A; hot increases BF + rate of A

Rubbing area: increase BF and irritates tissue (DON’T DO)

Question 4

T or F: SC tissue is sensitive to irritating solutions + large V

Answer 4

T - solutions must be isotonic, non-irritating, non-viscous, and water soluble

Question 5

What vaccines are given via SC

Answer 5

MMR
varicella
Pneumococcal polysaccharide (Pneumovax 23- can be SC or IM)
yellow fever’

Question 6

T or F: live vaccines are always given via SC

Answer 6

T

Question 7

SC Meds

Answer 7

Insulin
Low MW heparins
injectable biologics
Aranesp

Question 8

Location of SC vaccines if < 1 yr

Answer 8

anterolateral thigh

Question 9

Location of SC vaccines if 1+

Answer 9

upper tricep

Question 10

T or F: SC meds have some different locations for injections than vaccines

Answer 10

T - can also inject on abdomen + upper lateral booty cheeks along with upper thigh + tricep

Question 11

T or F: injection sites should not by inflamed after injection but may be hardened

Answer 11

F - should have no inflammation, irritation, or hardening

Question 12

T or F: rotation of SC med locations should occur

Answer 12

T

Question 13

How to landmark SC upper tricep injection

Answer 13

use middle 1/3 of back arm
- pinch up and down in this area to find the area with the most SC tissue

Question 14

T or F: you can inject from the top or bottom of the skin fold when doing SC injections

Answer 14

T- can do either
—- bevel must be facing upwards either way (towards you)

Question 15

At what angle should SC injections be done

Answer 15

45 if upper tricep

90 if abdomen + using shorter needle (needle shouldn’t be more than 1/2 the dept of the skin fold on abdomen)
- if have no fat or needle too long: do 45 for abdomen

Question 16

At what rate should SC injections be depressed

Answer 16

1mL/10 secs

Question 17

When can you release the skin fold during the SC injections

Answer 17

Can remove after inserted needle or after injected

Question 18

T or F: you can’t aspirate IM or SC injections as this will cause damage + pain

Answer 18

T - don’t aspirate

aspiration: when you pull back on the plunger when the needle is inserted to check for blood before pushing the fluid

Question 19

What are some AEs of SC injections

Answer 19

mild burning during injection

hardened painful lumps —- abscess

lipoatrophy or lipohypertrophy: tissue hardening
- rotate site to prevent