Question

To determine the best needle length for a subcutaneous injection, you gently pinch the patient's skin at the injection site and select a needle that is

A. 1/4 the length of the skin fold.
B. 1/2 the length of the skin fold.
C. equal to the length of the skin fold.

Answer 1

For subcutaneous injections, the needle should be 1/2 the length of the pinched skin fold to ensure effective and safe delivery of medication.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine the best needle length for a subcutaneous injection, you should gently pinch the patient's skin at the injection site and select a needle that is 1/2 the length of the skin fold. This is because a needle that is too short might not penetrate deeply enough to deliver the medication into the subcutaneous tissue, while a needle that is too long could potentially cause injury or inject the medication into muscle tissue, which has different absorption properties. Therefore, it is important for health professionals to assess the patient's adipose tissue thickness to achieve the right balance for an effective and safe subcutaneous injection.