To minimize bruising when administering subcutaneous heparin, what technique should be employed?

To minimize bruising when administering subcutaneous heparin, avoiding massaging the injection site is essential. Massage can increase blood flow to the area and disturb the tissue, potentially causing more bleeding and bruising. Heparin itself can affect blood clotting, making the risk of bruising higher, especially if the tissue is manipulated post-injection.

Applying ice prior to the injection could theoretically help numb the area and minimize discomfort, but there is no evidence to support that it would effectively reduce bruising from the heparin itself. Injecting quickly could also introduce complications by not allowing the tissue to properly accommodate the fluid and can contribute to trauma at the injection site. Therefore, the technique that provides the best approach to minimize bruising is to avoid massaging the injection site after administering heparin.