Final answer:
If blood is aspirated into the syringe, it means the needle has entered a blood vessel; the correct action is to remove the needle, discard the contents, prepare a new injection, and administer it at a different site. Aspiration is a safety practice aimed to prevent injecting medication into a blood vessel, unless intended for intravenous use.
Step-by-step explanation:
When performing an injection and blood is aspirated into the syringe upon aspiration, it generally means that the needle has entered a blood vessel. In such a scenario, you should not inject the medication because intravenous injection can have unintended and possibly harmful effects if the medication is meant for intramuscular or subcutaneous delivery.
The correct course of action is to withdraw the needle and apply pressure to the site to stop any bleeding. You should then safely discard the syringe and its contents, prepare a new syringe with medication, and attempt the injection again in a different location. Always use a new needle to prevent contamination and reduce the risk of infection. It's also important to note the occurrence in the patient's record and monitor for any adverse reactions. Aspiration before injection is a safety measure intended to prevent inadvertent intravascular administration of medications unless the route of administration is meant to be intravenous. Not all injections require aspiration, and the practice may vary depending on current medical guidelines and the type of medication being administered.