Subcutaneous injections

General description:

A needle with a drug charged syringe, goes through the skin and into subcutaneous tissue.

If 2 inches of skin can be grasped between the thumb and index finger, the needle is inserted at right angles to the injection site. If only 1 inch of skin can be grasped, the angle is reduced to 45 degrees.

Subcut injections are not given if the skin is burnt, hardened, inflamed, swollen, or damages by a previous injection. Image

Method...

Cleanse the injection site with an alcohol swab (spiral outwards)
Allow to dry
Remove the needle cover
Hold the syringe like a dart
Grasp skin between thumb and index finger
Thrust the needle into the skin at an angle of 90° *
* For children and those with little subcutaneous fat - 45°
Once fully inserted, release the skin
Grasp the base of the syringe to stabilise it
Carefully aspirate (pull the plunger) to ensure no blood is present
If blood is aspirated, remove and discard the needle and start again
If no blood appears, inject the medication over a 5 second period
Remove the needle whilst gently applying pressure with a swab
Dispose of sharps

General description:

Injection sites...

Method...