How To Give A Subcutaneous Injection
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: What is a subcutaneous injection? A subcutaneous injection is a shot given into the fat layer between the skin and muscle. Subcutaneous injections are used to give small amounts and certain kinds of medicine. What should I know about the syringe? There are 3 parts to a syringe: the needle, the barrel, and the plunger. The needle goes into your skin. The barrel holds the medicine and has markings on it like a ruler. The markings are for milliliters (mL). The plunger is used to get medicine into and out of the syringe. Insulin syringe: This holds a maximum of 1 mL of medicine. The syringe has markings from 10 to 100. The marking at 100 is the same as 1 mL. The marking at 50 is the same as ½ mL. Tuberculin syringe: This syringe holds up to 1 mL of medicine. It has a needle that is slightly longer than an insulin syringe. The syringe is marked every 0.1 mL. Where can I give a subcutaneous injection? The following are sites where you can give a subcutaneous injection: Abdomen: Uncover your abdomen. You may give an injection within the following area: below the waist to just above the hip bone and from the side to about 2 inches from the belly button. Avoid the belly button. Thigh: Uncover the entire leg. Find the area halfway between the knee and hip and slightly to the side. Gently grasp the area to make sure you can pinch 1 to 2 inches of skin. Lower back: Uncover the back from the waist to the top of the buttocks. Imagine a line that runs across the back just above the crack between the buttocks. An injection may be given below the waist and above this line. Give the injection halfway between the spine and the side. Upper Arm: Uncover the arm to the shoulder. Have the person getting the injection stand with his hand on his hip. Stand next to and a Continue reading >>
How To Give A Painless Injection
If you have Type 2 diabetes, sooner or later you may require insulin injections, either temporarily (as during infections) or permanently. This is nothing to be afraid of, even though many people with long-standing Type 2 diabetes literally spend years worrying about it. I usually teach all my patients how to inject themselves at our first or second meeting, before there’s any urgency. Once they give themselves a sample injection of sterile saline (salt water), they find out how easy and painless it can be, and they are spared years of anxiety. If you’re anxious about injections, after you read this section, please ask your physician or diabetes educator to allow you to try a self-administered injection. Insulin is usually injected subcutaneously This means Into a layer of fat under the skin The regions of the body that usually contain appropriate deposits of fat are illustrated in Figure 1 Examine your body to see if you have enough fat at the illustrated sites to comfortably grab a big hunk between your thumb and first finger. Fig 1 Potential sites for subcutaneous injections. To show you how painless a shot can be, your teacher should give himself or herself a shot and leave the syringe dangling in place, illustrating that no pain is felt Your teacher should next give you a shot of saline to prove the point. Now it’s time for you to give yourself an injection, using a syringe that’s been partly filled for you with about 5 “units” of saline. 1. With your “nonshooting” hand, grab as big a chunk of skin plus underlying fat as you can hold comfortably. If you have a nice roll of fat around your waist, use this site. If not, select another site from those illustrated in Figure 1 Nearly everyone has enough subcutaneous buttocks fat to inject there without g Continue reading >>
How To Give A Subcutaneous Injection
Reader Approved Three Parts:Preparing for a Subcutaneous InjectionDrawing a Dose of MedicationGiving a Subcutaneous InjectionCommunity Q&A A subcutaneous injection is an injection administered into the fatty area just under the skin (as opposed to an intravenous injection, which is administered directly into the bloodstream). Because they give a slower, more gradual release than intravenous injections, subcutaneous injections are frequently used as a way to administer both vaccines and medications (for instance, type I diabetics often use this type of injection to administer insulin.). Prescriptions for medications requiring subcutaneous injections are usually accompanied by detailed instructions on the correct way to give the injection. The instructions in this article are intended to be used only as a guideline - contact a medical professional before you give any injections at home. Read on below the jump for detailed instructions. 1 Gather your supplies. Performing a subcutaneous injection properly requires more than just a needle, syringe, and medicine. Before proceeding, make sure you have the following: A sterile dose of your medication or vaccine (usually in a small, labeled vial) A suitable syringe with a sterile needle tip. Depending on the size of your patient and the amount of medication to be administered, you may choose to use one of the following configurations or another safe, sterile means of injection: A 0.5, 1, or 2 cc syringe with a 27-gauge needle A 3 cc luer lock syringe (for large doses) A pre-filled, disposable syringe A sterile gauze pad (usually 2 x 2 inch) A sterile adhesive bandage (note - make sure the patient is not allergic to the adhesive, as can lead to irritation near the wound) A clean towel 2 Ensure you have the correct medication and Continue reading >>
Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion: Comparison Of Plasma Insulin Profiles After Infusion Or Bolus Injection Of The Mealtime Dose☆
Abstract To help optimize meal-time blood glucose control in diabetic patients by continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion we have studied plasma insulin profiles in six normal subjects, suppressing endogenous insulin secretion with somatostatin. Insulin was administered subcutaneously either as a bolus or by high-rate infusion. Mean insulin profiles were similar on the two occasions, with peak levels at 75 and 90 min respectively, and a linear decline to 34% and 36% of peak concentrations at 5 hr. Bolus injection resulted in a faster rise in insulin concentration, more consistent with physiological requirements. It is concluded that bolus delivery would be similar in effect while mechanically simpler to achieve than infusion, when part of a dual rate subcutaneous infusion system. The dose should be given 30 min before meals, if peak insulin concentrations are to be coincident with those found physiologically. Insulin concentrations remain high in the post-absorptive phase. Continue reading >>
How To Inject Insulin
Tweet When you are injecting insulin, you should aim to inject into the fatty tissue just underneath the skin. If you think you are injecting into the muscle, you may want to change your technique or ask your GP to prescribe shorter needles. The steps below are a broad guide to injecting insulin. If you plan to change your technique, check with your healthcare team, diabetic nurse or consultant for their advice. How to perform an insulin injection Firstly, prepare your kit. You will need: An insulin pen Enough insulin inside to give the required dose A new pen needle Cotton wool or a tissue Make sure you have your kit available at all times and if possible, inform your family as to its location. If you suffer from a hypo, this will allow your family to act quickly. Injecting your insulin shot To perform your insulin injection: Wherever possible, wash your hands with soap and water before injecting Put a new needle onto your pen Perform an ‘air shot’ of at least 2 units to clear any bubbles out of the needle – if you do not get a steady stream, repeat the air shot until you do get a steady stream Dial up your dose – how you do this exactly may depend on which pen you have Pick a soft fatty area to inject – tops of thighs, belly, bum and triceps (not always recommended for children or thinner people) Raise a fold of fatty flesh slightly between your thumb and fingers - leaving plenty of space between to put the needle in Put the needle in – if you are particularly slim, you may need to put the needle in at a 45 degree angle to avoid injecting into the muscle Push the plunger, to inject the dose, relatively slowly After the dose has been injected, hold the needle in for a good 10 seconds to prevent too much insulin from escaping out If any blood or insulin esca Continue reading >>
The Absorption Of An Acid And A Neutral Insulin Solution After Subcutaneous Injection Into Different Regions In Diabetic Patients
Binder, C., Vølund Nielsen, Aa. & Jørgensen, K. The Absorption of an Acid and a Neutral Insulin Solution after Subcutaneous Injection into Different Regions in Diabetic Patients. Scand. J. din. Lab. Invest. 19, 156–163, 1967. 125I-labelled insulin was prepared as two pharmaceutical insulins, Insulin Novo (SI) and Insulin Novo Actrapid (A). The insulins were administered subcutaneously into different regions in 196 diabetic patients and 9 normals. The absorption was measured by external registration of the radioactivity. 1) The variation within patients was less than between patients. 2) The physical acitivity was without influence on the course of absorption. 3) Within the same region A was always absorbed faster than SI. 4) No significant difference in the course of absorption could be shown between normals and diabetic patients. 5) For a given combination of insulin and region there was a great variation in the results obtained. When SI was given into the femoral region the rest activity 4 hours after the injection varied from 6 to 67 per cent. 6) The injected insulin was absorbed faster from the scapular and abdominal regions than from the femoral region. 7) The amounts of insulin absorbed per unit time were significantly correlated to the changes in blood sugar concentration. 8) Small variations in room temperature and relative humidity were without any influence on the course of absorption. The data suggest that variations in the absorption rate of insulin may be an important factor for the lability in some diabetic patients. Continue reading >>
Insulin Administration
Insulin is necessary for normal carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism. People with type 1 diabetes mellitus do not produce enough of this hormone to sustain life and therefore depend on exogenous insulin for survival. In contrast, individuals with type 2 diabetes are not dependent on exogenous insulin for survival. However, over time, many of these individuals will show decreased insulin production, therefore requiring supplemental insulin for adequate blood glucose control, especially during times of stress or illness. An insulin regimen is often required in the treatment of gestational diabetes and diabetes associated with certain conditions or syndromes (e.g., pancreatic diseases, drug- or chemical-induced diabetes, endocrinopathies, insulin-receptor disorders, certain genetic syndromes). In all instances of insulin use, the insulin dosage must be individualized and balanced with medical nutrition therapy and exercise. This position statement addresses issues regarding the use of conventional insulin administration (i.e., via syringe or pen with needle and cartridge) in the self-care of the individual with diabetes. It does not address the use of insulin pumps. (See the American Diabetes Association’s position statement “Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion” for further discussion on this subject.) INSULIN Insulin is obtained from pork pancreas or is made chemically identical to human insulin by recombinant DNA technology or chemical modification of pork insulin. Insulin analogs have been developed by modifying the amino acid sequence of the insulin molecule. Insulin is available in rapid-, short-, intermediate-, and long-acting types that may be injected separately or mixed in the same syringe. Rapid-acting insulin analogs (insulin lispro and insulin a Continue reading >>
Effective Method For Drug Injection Into Subcutaneous Tissue
Subcutaneous injection of drug solution is widely used for continuous and low dose drug treatment. Although the drug injections have been administered for a long time, challenges in the design of injection devices are still needed to minimize the variability, pain, or skin disorder by repeated drug injections. To avoid these adverse effects, systematic study on the effects of injection conditions should be conducted to improve the predictability of drug effect. Here, the effects of injection conditions on the drug permeation in tissues were investigated using X-ray imaging technique which provides real-time images of drug permeation with high spatial resolution. The shape and concentration distribution of the injected drug solution in the porcine subcutaneous and muscle tissues are visualized. Dynamic movements of the wetting front (WF) and temporal variations of water contents in the two tissues are quantitatively analyzed. Based on the quantitative analysis of the experimental data, the permeability of drug solution through the tissues are estimated according to permeation direction, injection speed, and tissue. The present results would be helpful for improving the performance of drug injection devices and for predicting the drug efficacy in tissues using biomedical simulation. Drug injection is a favored method for delivering a drug to get desired effects quickly and directly. Among the different drug injection methods, subcutaneous injection is the one which is applied to the fatty layer of subcutaneous tissue just beneath the skin (Fig. 1a). As subcutaneous tissue has few blood vessels, the injected drug is diffused very slowly at a sustained rate of absorption. Therefore, it is highly effective in administering vaccines, growth hormones, and insulin, which requir Continue reading >>
Steps To Self Administering A Subcutaneous Injection (with Infographics)
Getting the most out of certain supplements and medications might just mean that you need to learn how to correctly self administer the injections. Don’t squirm up your face just yet if you have an aversion to needles! Knowing how to properly use them and where to locate injection sites can take all the pain and anxiety that you might have, away. Learn how to give yourself subcutaneous injections so you can get the best weight loss results possible. Please note: I am not a medical professional. It is your responsibility to consult a doctor before commencing any new treatment. Information on this website should NOT replace the advice of your doctor. What is a Subcutaneous Injection? There is a fatty layer of tissue just beneath the surface of the skin called the subcutaneous layer. This layer of fat sits above muscle tissue and is the target area of where you want to inject the solution of your weight loss shot. The subcutaneous layer is made up of fat cells and can be easily pinched for the administration of an injection. With a small needle and fatty tissue as the target, there is little to no pain or discomfort associated with subcutaneous injections (also known as Sub Q injections). This type of shot is a preferred way to receive injections for the following reasons: little to no pain slow and gradual release stays in the body longer Other types of injections such as intravenous shots require a blood vessel and intramuscular injections require deep penetration into muscle tissue. Those types of injections have a fast-acting release that delivers the medication straight to where it’s needed most. Subcutaneous injections are often used when a slower release is preferred. Because there is little blood flow to the fatty layer of tissue a gradual release of the medica Continue reading >>
About Insulin
What is this stuff I have to take? Is it a drug? Will it make me better, so I don't have to take it anymore? What does it do? Why can't I just drink it, or take a big shot once a month? And why are there so many different types? Will there ever be something better? Insulin is a hormone, normally produced in sufficient amounts by the healthy human pancreas. Its role is to facilitate the final digestion of glucose by the human body. When insulin is lacking (diabetes), glucose remains undigested in the blood. The body isn't being fed, and the high blood sugar can cause damage, the ramifications of diabetes. The two major types of diabetes (type 1 and type 2, IDDM and NIDDM) are separated by presence of insulin. The pancreas of the type 1 diabetic has ceased producing insulin, and insulin must be injected. This injected insulin is a replacement, and, barring the transplantation of a healthy pancreas, will need to be continued for life. The type 2 (NIDDM) diabetic has an impaired insulin supply. He or she doesn't have enough, or has some difficulty assimilating it (insulin resistance), or both. Lifestyle and diet changes, and oral medications, some of which stimulate the failing pancreas to produce more insulin, are used in treatment. Many veteran type 2 diabetics find their insulin supply, already impaired, has lessened to the point where they need to inject insulin. Insulin cannot be taken by mouth because it is digestible. Oral insulin would be obliterated in the stomach, long before it reached the bloodstream where it is needed. Once injected, it starts to work and is used up in a matter of hours. Depending on a number of factors, individuals vary insulin volume, type, and frequency, to optimize blood glucose management. That there are so many different formulations of i Continue reading >>
Insulin Administration
Injection and infusion are the two ways to deliver insulin. Injection is the most common, and infusion is the most the most sophisticated. Injection Insulin syringe: This is the most common insulin delivery method. The classic injection device is an insulin syringe. The plastic, disposable syringes currently are available in three sizes, and hold up to 30, 50 or 100 units of insulin. The needles are fine (up to 31 gauge) with lengths ranging from 3/16th of an inch for infants, to ½ inch or more for adults. The insulin is injected into the layer of fat (subcutaneous tissue) just under the skin. (Rarely, insulin may be injected into a muscle. This should happen only under a medical supervision in a hospital or medical care setting.) A popular alternative to the insulin syringe is an insulin pen. An insulin pen has a replaceable reservoir of insulin called a cartridge, a replaceable needle to puncture the skin and to deliver insulin to the subcutaneous tissue, a dial to choose the insulin dose, and a mechanical pumping or insulin release mechanism. These may be disposable devices or re-useable devices with disposable insulin cartridges. They are very convenient for active individuals taking multiple injections, as well as those who are visually or dexterity-challenged. Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion Device: Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) devices (also known as insulin pumps) are the most sophisticated form of insulin delivery. These are small, computerized devices that are programmed to deliver insulin under the skin. The insulin pump is durable and lasts for years, but the insulin supply and certain pump components (insulin reservoir, tubing and infusion set) are changed every few days. We have provided more detailed information in the insulin Continue reading >>
7.3 Intradermal And Subcutaneous Injections
Intradermal injections (ID) are injections administered into the dermis, just below the epidermis. The ID injection route has the longest absorption time of all parenteral routes. These types of injections are used for sensitivity tests, such as TB (see Figure 7.13), allergy, and local anesthesia tests. The advantage of these tests is that the body reaction is easy to visualize, and the degree of reaction can be assessed. The most common sites used are the inner surface of the forearm and the upper back, under the scapula. Choose an injection site that is free from lesions, rashes, moles, or scars, which may alter the visual inspection of the test results (Lynn, 2011). Equipment used for ID injections is a tuberculin syringe calibrated in tenths and hundredths of a millilitre, and a 1/4 to 1/2 in., 26 or 27 gauge needle. The dosage of an ID injection is usually under 0.5 ml. The angle of administration for an ID injection is 5 to 15 degrees. Once the ID injection is completed, a bleb (small blister) should appear under the skin. Checklist 56 outlines the steps to administer an intradermal injection. Disclaimer: Always review and follow your hospital policy regarding this specific skill. Do not aspirate. It is not necessary to aspirate because the dermis is relatively without vessels. Always take steps to eliminate interruptions and distractions during medication preparation. If the patient expresses concerns about the medication or procedure, stop and explore the concerns. Re-verify order with physician if appropriate. Steps Additional Information 1. Prepare medication or solution as per agency policy. Ensure all medication is properly identified. Check physician orders, Parenteral Drug Therapy Manual (PDTM), and MAR to validate medication order and guidelines for admin Continue reading >>
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Subcutaneous Injection
Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia. Related to subcutaneous injection: intramuscular injection, intradermal injection, intravenous injection injection [in-jek´shun] 2. the forcing of a liquid into a part, as into the subcutaneous tissues, the vascular tree, or an organ. 3. a substance so forced or administered; in pharmacy, a solution of a medicament suitable for injection. Immunizing substances, or inoculations, are generally given by injection. Some medicines cannot be given by mouth because chemical action of the enzymes and digestive fluids would change or reduce their effectiveness, or because they would be removed from the body too quickly to have any effect. Occasionally a medication is injected so that it will act more quickly. In addition to the most common types of injections described below, injections are sometimes made into arteries, bone marrow, the spine, the sternum, the pleural space of the chest region, the peritoneal cavity, and joint spaces. In sudden heart failure, heart-stimulating drugs may be injected directly into the heart (intracardiac injection). intradermal injection injection of small amounts of material into the corium or substance of the skin, done in diagnostic procedures and in administration of regional anesthetics, as well as in treatment procedures. In certain allergy tests, the allergen is injected intracutaneously. These injections are given in an area where the skin and hair are sparse, usually on the inner part of the forearm. A 25-gauge needle, about 1 cm long, is usually used and is inserted at a 10- to 15-degree angle to the skin. intramuscular injection injection into the substance of a muscle, usually the muscle of the upper arm, thigh, or buttock. Intramuscular injections are given when the subst Continue reading >>
Why Is Insulin Injected Instead Of Taken By Mouth?
Insulin cannot be taken orally because it would break down in the digestive process. Insulin is a poly-peptide protein, which can be broken down by enzymes in the digestive system. By the time it reaches the small intestine, where it is absorbed, it is only a single peptide and can no longer function as insulin. Besides the chemical reasons for not ingesting insulin, there are other reasons that have more to do with the management of diabetes. Why Injection Is Better Blood sugar levels are subject to great change throughout the day. What foods were consumed, exercise, stress, illness, even time of day – all of these impact glucose levels. If this were not so, there would be no need to monitor levels with a finger prick multiple times each day. Insulin is needed to ensure that glucose is properly utilized and that levels of glucose remain stable. In order to work properly, insulin must enter the bloodstream intact. By injecting it into the subcutaneous tissue in our bodies, it is designed to be absorbed into the bloodstream without changing its properties and within a proscribed amount of time. Insulin should not be injected directly into muscle or into the bloodstream, as both will increase the speed of absorption. How fast absorption happens is also a function of what type of insulin is being used: rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting, long-acting or a mix of some of these. Each is designed to be absorbed and active over certain time frames, in order to cope with different glucose control needs, like consuming a meal or sleeping all night. Possible New Alternatives There is active research to develop alternatives to injections. One of the most promising is inhaled insulin. There was an inhaled insulin product, Exubera, on the market for about a year betwee Continue reading >>
Preparing And Administering Subcutaneous Medications
Source: Madeline Lassche, MSNEd, RN and Katie Baraki, MSN, RN, College of Nursing, University of Utah, UT Subcutaneous medication administration is a parenteral approach to administer small amounts of medication (less than 2 mL) into the layer of tissue just below the skin. Common medications administered via the subcutaneous route include anticoagulant medications, such as heparin or enoxaparin; epinephrine administered for allergic reactions; insulin; and some immunizations. Subcutaneous injection preparations are commonly provided in vials or ampules for withdrawal into a subcutaneous syringe. Subcutaneous needles have a shorter length and smaller diameter than syringes used for intramuscular injections, are typically less than 5/8th of an inch, and are 26 gauge or smaller. Medication absorption and onset is slower than for intravenous routes, with some absorption rates lasting 24 h or longer. This approach is selected for many medications that may be denatured or deactivated if given via the oral route, given the acidity of the gastrointestinal tract. Subcutaneous injection preparations are commonly provided in vials or ampules for withdrawal into a subcutaneous syringe. The nurse should determine the appropriate medication dose according to the concentration provided on the container. This demonstration will present how to prepare and administer subcutaneous medications after the medication has been obtained from the medication dispensing device. The discussion also includes the five "rights" and the medication documentation in the electronic Medication Administration Record (MAR). JoVE Science Education Database. Nursing Skills. Preparing and Administering Subcutaneous Medications. JoVE, Cambridge, MA, (2017). 1. General medication administration considerations (r Continue reading >>
