Subcutaneous Injection

Question 1

Examples of SC medications?

Answer 1

Heparin
Dalteparin
Insulin

Question 2

How much medication can be given SC?

Answer 2

no more than 2mls

Question 3

What do use when giving an insulin injection?

Answer 3

An insulin pen (1 patient only)
Insulin syringe

Insulin and anti-coags must be checked by 2 staff members before injection

Question 4

What are the sites of SC injection??

Answer 4

Thigh - Slow absorption
Butt - Slow Absorption
Arm - Medium Absorption
Abdomen - Fast Absorption

Question 5

Complications of SC?

Answer 5

Lipodystrophy (When doing lots of injections in the same place e.g. diabetics)
Haematoma
Insulin can crystallise in the needle if it isnt removed between pen injections resulting in blockage

Question 6

Procedure for preparing a SC injection:

Answer 6

Hand hygiene and gloves
Disinfect vial top
Draw up air
Remove needle cap and put it on an alcohol swab against a flat surface
Inject air into vial, invert vial and withdraw meds
Purge air from syringe
SCOOP cap back on (no fingers)
Take equipment to patient, repeat id, explanation & consent, Repeat hand hygiene and gloves.

Question 7

Procedure for SC injection

Answer 7

Repeat Patient ID, explanation and consent
Repeat hand hygiene and gloves
Disinfect site for 30 secs and dry for 30 seconds
Pinch skin with left hand
Insert needle at 45-90*
Stabilize needle with pinching hand
Injecting meds over 5-10 seconds
Wait 10 seconds then remove needle swiftly
Dispose of needle/syringe into sharps bin
Clean up, remove gloves, repeat hand hygiene