Question

A nurse is administering meperidine IM in the right deltoid of a client. The nurse aspirates and pulls back blood in the syringe. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A. Obtain a new needle and continue administering the medication as prescribed.
B. Withdraw the syringe and reinsert it in a different location.
C. Continue with the injection after pulling back on the needle slightly.
D. Dispose of the medication.

Answer 1

When blood is aspirated during an IM injection of meperidine, the nurse should withdraw the syringe, dispose of it, prepare a new dose, and find a different location to administer the injection.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a nurse is administering an intramuscular (IM) injection of meperidine and aspirates blood into the syringe, this indicates that the needle may have entered a blood vessel. The correct action for the nurse to take in this situation would be to:

Option B: Withdraw the syringe and reinsert it in a different location.

It is important to cease the injection process, safely dispose of the contaminated syringe, prepare a new dose with a new needle and syringe, and attempt to administer the medication again at a different site. This ensures that the medication is delivered into the muscle tissue and not directly into the bloodstream, which could lead to rapid absorption and potential adverse effects.