Vitamin K is essential in blood's normal clotting. It is standard procedure to administer a vitamin K injection to newborns to prevent hemorrhage. Vitamin K injections are also administered to people who are deficient in the vitamin. Some vitamin K injections come in two vials that require mixing to be administered. Injectable vitamin K is available only by prescription.
Consult your physician prior to administering a vitamin K injection. All injections -- including vitamin K injections -- should be administered only by those who have received proper training.
Step 1
Cleanse both the liquid and powdered vitamin K vials with an alcohol swab. Allow the alcohol to dry fully before continuing.
Step 2
Remove the cap from the needle. Insert the needle into the liquid vitamin K.
Step 3
Draw up the prescribed amount of liquid vitamin K in the syringe by pulling back on the plunger.
Step 4
Remove the needle from the liquid vitamin K vial. Insert the needle into the powdered vitamin K vial.
Step 5
Squirt the liquid vitamin K into the powdered vitamin K vial by pushing down on the plunger of the syringe. Then remove the needle from the vial.
Step 6
Shake the powdered vitamin K vial vigorously for 30 seconds or until the powder is thoroughly mixed with the liquid vitamin K. At this point the vitamin K is ready to be administered.
Things You'll Need
- Liquid vitamin K vial
- Powered vitamin K vial
- Alcohol swab
- Syringe with needle
References
- "Foundations of Nursing"; Lois White, et al.; 2010
- "Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing"; Adrianne Dill Linton; 2007
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