KAIMOSI FRIENDS UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES

CLINICAL MEDICINE DEPARTMENT
COURSE CODE: HCM/130
COURSE TITLE: NURSING SKILLS
DATE OF SUBMISSION: 30/09/2024
LECTURER: DR. PETER
GROUP MEMBERS: Marabell Neema: HCM/1773/2024
Ngeno Daniel: HCM/1785/2024
Araka Josephat: HCM/2173/2024
Christine Ochieng: HCM/5009/2024
Okoth Dreck: HCM/1783/2024
Mocha Billy: HCM/1789/2024
Owiyo Sharon Achieng: HCM/5011/2024
 INJECTABLES AND INTRAVENOUS
INJECTIONS

INTRODUCTION
Definition of injectables: Are medications delivered via injections. They include:

1. Intramuscular
2. Subcutaneous
3. Intravenous

•Importance in Nursing: Vital for administering medications quickly and effectively, essential in
emergency situations and for patients who cannot take oral medications.

Types of Injectables

1. Intravenous (IV) Injections

Definition: Procedure in which a drug is introduced into a

peripheral vein using a needle and syringe.
o

Common Uses: Fluid replacement, electrolyte balance,

administering medications, and blood products.
o

2. Subcutaneous Injections

Definition: Administration of medication into the fatty tissue layer

beneath the skin.
o

o Common Uses: Insulin, heparin, and some vaccines.

3. Intramuscular Injections

o Definition: Delivery of medication into a muscle.

o Common Uses: Vaccines, hormones, and antibiotics.

Advantages: Allows for faster absorption than subcutaneous

injections.
o

INTRAVENOUS INJECTIONS
Preparation
 Prepare the necessary materials
 Check the patient's identity and explain the procedure

 Make sure you administer the proper medication to the right patient

 Check the expiry date of the medicine

 Check whether the patient has any allergies, especially to the given
medication

 Run the correct procedure, following the disinfection rules

 Keep the sterility of the needle during the procedure

 Dispose of contaminated waste in appropriate container

Necessary materials
Gloves
Disinfectant


Tourniquet


Compressed gauze


Syringe with ready made medication or empty for collection



Needle


Containers for waste




Procedure
1. Material preparation: Check the integrity of the packaging and expiry
dates. Choose the appropriate syringe size, choose the correct vein
2. Communicating with the patient: Present yourself, explain your role, and
discuss the possible indications and incidents.
3. Patient positioning: Positioned horizontally, dorsal to the most
comfortable position
4. Wash hands and gloves.
5. Look for the vein that can be approached, palpation of the vein,
positioning of the tourniquet
6. The patient can be asked to close and open his hand several times to
facilitate venous drainage. Second identification of the vein
7. Disinfection of the area
8. Insert at a 15-30degree angle to avoid puncture on the posterior wall
9. After exposing a drop of blood in the needle level, do not advance to avoid
piercing the vessel walls
10.To make sure we are on the vein we slowly aspire by pulling the plunger
towards us. If it enters easily, we have the confirmation. Inject the
substance respective to the injection rate
11.Loosen the tourniquet, compress the punctured region with a disinfecting
pad while removing the needle. Keep the compression for at least 5
minutes.
12.Dispose the waste, wash your hands, and monitor the patient.

Complications of IV Injections

 Infiltration: Accidental infusion of fluid into surrounding tissue.

  Phlebitis: Inflammation of the vein.

 Infection: Risk of introducing pathogens at the injection site.

Air Embolism: Rare but serious; occurs when air enters the vascular
system.


Contraindications
 Patient's refusal

Allergy to the administered medicine, or to the component materials of the

needle or syringe

A segment of the limb showing: trauma, edema, burning, phlebitis, thrombosis.

There is a risk of extravasation or circulation deficiency.

 Membranes fitted with dialysis fistula or shunt fist. There is a very high risk of
infection.

 Administration of inappropriate solutions to peripheral administration. There

are certain solutions whose pH or osmolarity does not allow their administration
on the peripheral pathway. Also, some antidiuretics or chemotherapeutic agents
are not indicated for administration to a peripheral venous route.

 The superior ipsilateral member of the surgical site such as radical

mastectomy. In this situation, lymphatic and venous circulation may be affected.
Caning a vein at this level may favor thrombosis.

 Caution with patients with coagulopathy or those taking oral anticoagulants

or injections!! Compression must be maintained for at least 15 minutes.
Injection contraindication to a patient with a very low platelet count or severe
coagulation alteration. In patients treated with unfractionated heparin,
puncture is done 4-6 hours after the dose or even before dosing. In those who
are being treated with fractionated heparin, the puncture is done 12 hours after
the dose.

RECOMMENDATION
 Assessment: Evaluate the patient's need for injectables and any contraindications.

 Education: Inform the patient about the procedure, benefits, and potential side effects.

 Monitoring: Continuously monitor vital signs and observe for any adverse reactions during
and after administration.

CONCLUSSION
 Summary of Key Points: The intravenous injections, are important in the nursing and the
clinical medicine fields in that they are fast quick in injections.

They are also important during emergency situations.

They can also be used to deliver medicines that can not be administered orally

During the administration care should be taken so as not to injure the blood vessels.

 Future Implications:

1. Ongoing education ensures medical practitioners are updated to the latest

technology on injectables
2. Patient safety protocols should be further emphasized by education to prevent
infection control and risk management
3. Medical practitioners should be educated more on the legal regulations surrounding
injectable procedures for safety of patients.

REFERENCES
1. Andrei Mihai Bălan, Dan Sebastian Dirzu’s ATI_eng_01_Intravenous injections.pdf, page
1-6
2. https://deepai.org/chat#:~:text=AI%20Chat%20is%20an%20AI%20chatbot%20that
%20writes%20text.%20You – definitions of terms injectables and intravenous injections

-Recommendations for future implications