Subcutaneous injections Flashcards
Equipment
- Patient’s drug chart
- Clean receptacle
- Alcohol gel
- Gloves and apron
- Drug (+diluent if necessary)
- Syringe
- Orange hypodermic needles x1
- Wipe
- Cotton wool
- Sharps bin
Performance of task
- Collect equipment
- Wash hands
- Don gloves and apron
- Open syringe packet and tear top off the ampoule (after checking, name/dose/route/date) (aseptically)
- Attach these together and draw up required amount (check drug chart) - Draw up correct amount + a little bit more in case of spills
- Flick bubbles out / push out with plunger
- Apply a needle (orange) to the syringe
- Change gloves if any reason to believe they are dirty
- Approach patient MANIKIN, (would close door/draw curtains)
- Wash hands
- Don gloves (if not already wearing them)
- State that you would check the bed and rails and patient are correctly positioned/exposed
- Assess site - for inflammation, oedema, infection, skin lesions (state)
- Clean skin and allow to dry (state)
- Warn of sharp scratch
- Gently pinch the skin into a fold with thumb and forefinger (to elevate subcut tissue)
- Insert needle at angle of 45 degrees (between v created by fingers) and release grasped skin (note: insulin is at 90)
- Inject drug slowly
- Remove needle and apply pressure
- Dispose of needle + syringe
What can be administered this way?
Highly soluble (to avoid irritation to soft tissues).
Route allows slow, sustained absorption (as less blood flow here).
Low molecular weight heparin and insulin are examples.
Where can you inject?
Abdomen, Lateral or posterior aspect of lower part of upper arm, Thighs, Buttocks - anywhere fatty
What must you take into consideration?
Amount of subcutaneous tissue in different patients - reduce angle of insertion (or amount the needle is pushed in) if less fatty (thin old person or athlete)
What must diabetics, injecting this way, consider?
Repeated injections may cause irritation and scarring so need to rotate injection sites to ensure adequate absorption.
Which needle should be used for SC?
Orange (25 G) (smaller than IM as not pushing it as far into the body)
Complications
Reactions to drug
Pain or discomfort -should resolve
What would you say to inform the patient about SC injections?
‘Today I’ve been asked just to give you an injection [just to make sure you aren’t going to develop any clots in your body whilst you’re having to stay in bed here in the hospital]. It is a very routine procedure. It will be given in the skin of your tummy and it is a small and not very painful injection. ‘
