Subcutaneous Injection

Question 1

PPE

Answer 1

Hand hygiene, disposable gloves, clinical waste bag

Question 2

Prepare equipment

Answer 2

Needle and syringe
Sharps container
Medication

Question 3

Indications

Answer 3

Patient requiring subcutaneous injection
of medication

Question 4

Contraindications

Answer 4

Where IV or IM is
more appropriate

Question 5

Prepare injection site

Answer 5

Select, expose and inspect appropriate
site. If previous injections, rotate
injection sites.

Only clean the site with soap and water
if it is obviously contaminated.

Using the non-dominant hand, pinch
area of injection site using index finger
and thumb, avoiding muscle.

Question 6

Inject needle

Answer 6

Inject short (orange) needle at a 90
angle using a quick motion.

Longer needles may need to be injected
at 45 angle.

Question 7

Administer medication

Answer 7

Slowly push plunger and deliver
medication.

Do not massage the area following
needle removal, but apply firm pressure.

Question 8

Sharps and waste managment

Answer 8

Remove needle and/or activate safety
device. Immediately dispose of device in
a sharps container.

Where required cover the injection site.

Dispose of clinical waste, remove gloves
and wash hands.

Question 9

Report

Answer 9

Accurately document medication
administration times and dosages.