What angle should a nurse use to administer enoxaparin subcutaneously to a client?

When administering enoxaparin, which is a low molecular weight heparin, subcutaneously, the preferred angle is 90 degrees. The rationale for using this angle is that it ensures the medication is delivered into the subcutaneous tissue, allowing for effective absorption.

Enoxaparin is typically injected into areas of the body where there is a fatty layer, such as the abdomen, to ensure that it does not enter the muscle, which could lead to complications and reduced efficacy. A 90-degree angle allows the needle to penetrate the skin directly into the subcutaneous layer without risk of hitting underlying muscle tissue.

Using a 45-degree angle is not ideal for subcutaneous injections of this type, as it may result in the needle entering the muscle layer instead of staying within the subcutaneous tissue. The other options, including injecting straight into the muscle, are not appropriate for administering enoxaparin because this could cause additional pain and may not provide the desired pharmacological effect. Therefore, the correct practice when administering enoxaparin subcutaneously is to use a 90-degree angle.