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A nurse is providing education to a patient about self-administering subcutaneous injections.

Which of these patient statements indicates that the patient understands the instructions?
a. "I need to use a needle 1/2 inch longer than my thumb."
b. "I will give the medicine deep into my deltoid."
c. "My belly is a good place to give my injection."
d. "I need to throw the syringe and needle into the garbage when I am done giving myself my shot."

User Fsdf Fsd
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

The patient understands the instructions for self-administering subcutaneous injections when they state the belly is a good injection site. Subcutaneous injections go into the fatty layer under the skin, not deep muscles like the deltoid, and needles should be properly disposed of in a sharps container.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct statement that indicates the patient understands the instructions for self-administering subcutaneous injections is: "My belly is a good place to give my injection." This is because the abdominal area is a common site for subcutaneous injections due to its accessibility and usually has enough subcutaneous tissue. Subcutaneous injections are not administered deep into muscles like the deltoid; instead, they are given into the fatty tissue just below the skin. Insulin, which is a hormone crucial for controlling blood glucose levels, is typically administered this way in people with diabetes. It is also important to note that a subcutaneous needle is usually short and fine, typically measuring about 5/16 to 1/2 inch in length. Furthermore, when disposing of needles and syringes, it is essential to use a proper sharps disposal container and not to throw them directly into the garbage for safety and health reasons.

User Kpeatt
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