The subcutaneous [SC] administration of the anticoagulant heparin is a frequently performed nursing intervention. Bruising and induration occur after some but not all such injections. Administration technique is frequently considered as a possible cause of bruising and induration. The purpose of the study was to compare the effect of two techniques of SC heparin injection on bruises and induration formation. Variables studied include change the needle that was used to draw heparin into the syringe, adding 0.2 ml air and the type of sponge dry or alcohol applied to the site after injection. The results revealed that the technique which encompassed changing the needle after drawing medication into the syringe, using 0.2ml air and dry sponge resulted in smaller areas of bruising and induration than the other technique studied. The use of this technique will be cost effective for the health institutions as it is less expensive than the commercially prepared heparin syringe.