Final answer:
To administer an IM injection to an obese patient, a nurse should use a longer needle, select the appropriate site like the ventrogluteal area, and inject at a 90-degree angle. Techniques like skin stretching or bunching, depending on the site and needle length, are also critical. The patient needs to relax their muscles during the procedure.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular (IM) injection to a client who is obese, it is crucial to select an appropriate needle length to ensure the medication reaches the muscle tissue effectively. The nurse should choose a longer needle, usually 1.5 to 2 inches, depending on the patient's adipose tissue distribution. It's also important to use the correct injection site to avoid nerve or blood vessel damage. The ventrogluteal site is often recommended for obese patients due to the lesser amount of subcutaneous fat in that area compared to others, such as the deltoid. Proper injection technique, including the stretching or bunching of the skin (depending on the site and needle length), and inserting the needle at a 90-degree angle, is essential for a successful administration. The nurse should also encourage the patient to relax their muscles during the injection to reduce discomfort and facilitate proper medication absorption. After the injection, applying gentle pressure without massaging can help to seal the medication in the muscle and reduce any potential leakage back through the injection path.