Table of Contents
What is the proper way to administer insulin?
The insulin needs to go into the fat layer under the skin. Pinch the skin and put the needle in at a 45º angle. If your skin tissues are thicker, you may be able to inject straight up and down (90º angle). Push the needle all the way into the skin. Leave the syringe in place for 5 seconds after injecting.
How do you properly draw insulin into a syringe?
Insert the needle into the bottle of long-acting insulin. Turn the bottle and syringe upside down. Slowly pull on the plunger to draw insulin into the syringe. Because the short-acting insulin dose is already in the syringe, pull the plunger to the total number of units you need.
Do you apply pressure after insulin injection?
Push the plunger of the syringe all the way in so the insulin goes into the fatty tissue. Take the needle out at the same angle that you inserted it. If you bleed a little, apply pressure over the shot area with your finger, a cotton ball, or a piece of gauze. Do not rub the area.
Which do you draw up first in insulin?
When you mix regular insulin with another type of insulin, always draw the regular insulin into the syringe first. When you mix two types of insulins other than regular insulin, it does not matter in what order you draw them into the syringe.
When do you inject insulin?
If you take rapid-acting insulin before meals, inject the insulin when you sit down to eat. If you take regular insulin before meals, inject the insulin no more than 30 minutes before the meal. If you take intermediate- or long-acting insulin, inject the insulin at the same time each day.
Do you have to pinch the skin when giving insulin?
Insulin shots should go into a fatty layer of your skin (called “subcutaneous” or “SC” tissue). Put the needle straight in at a 90-degree angle. You do not have to pinch up the skin unless you are using a longer needle (6.8 to 12.7 mm). Small children or very thin adults may need to inject at a 45-degree angle.
How do you draw up insulin?
How to draw up insulin from a vial Wash and dry your hands. Roll the insulin bottle gently between your palms at least 10 times. Clean the top of the insulin vial with an alcohol swab. Draw the required amount of air (equal to the dosage for insulin required) into the syringe by pulling the plunger down. .
Where in the abdomen do you inject insulin?
To give an injection into the abdomen, pinch a section of fatty abdominal tissue, with fingers either side. The site should be between the waist and the hipbones about 2 inches away from the belly button. Avoid injecting near any scar tissue on the abdomen.
Where should you not inject insulin?
DON’T: Inject insulin just anywhere. Insulin should be injected into the fat just underneath the skin rather than into muscle, which can lead to quicker insulin action and greater risk of low blood sugar. The stomach, thighs, buttocks, and upper arms are common injection sites because of their higher fat content.
Do you draw up regular insulin or NPH first?
When mixing insulin NPH with other preparations of insulin (eg, insulin aspart, insulin glulisine, insulin lispro, insulin regular), insulin NPH should be drawn into the syringe after the other insulin preparations. After mixing NPH with regular insulin, the formulation should be used immediately.
Why do you draw regular insulin first?
The rapid- or short-acting insulin (clear) is drawn up first to prevent the intermediate-acting insulin (cloudy) from getting into the rapid- or short-acting insulin bottle and affecting the onset, peak, and duration.
How do you administer NPH insulin?
Insulin NPH may be administered in 2 divided doses daily (either as equally divided doses, or as ~2/3 of the dose before the morning meal and ~1/3 of the dose before the evening meal or at bedtime).
At what angle should insulin be injected?
Inject the insulin with the needle at an angle of about 90 degrees. If you’re thin, you may need to pinch the skin and inject the insulin at a 45-degree angle (see picture 4).
What size needle do you use for insulin?
The standard needle is 1/2-inch long. Needles also come in 5/16-inch and 3/16-inch lengths. The 3/16-inch length is often used for children. The thinner the needle, the higher its gauge.
How do you inject yourself?
Pinch or stretch the skin (depending on your medication and injection site). Take a deep breath to relax. Insert the needle using a quick dart-like motion or if using an injection pen, place the end of the pen next to the skin. Inject the medication.
How do you get used to inject yourself?
10 Ways to Overcome Your Fear of Self-Injection Tell Your Doctor. If you’re uncomfortable with self-injecting, it’s important for your doctor to know. Breathe. Move Confidently. Listen to Music. Make Yourself Comfortable. Keep Practicing. Distract Yourself. Build a Support Team.
What happens if you inject insulin too close to belly button?
When injecting into the abdomen, you should avoid the belly button because the belly button is tougher and makes insulin absorption less consistent.
Can you inject insulin in your thigh?
You can rotate to different areas of your abdomen, keeping injection sites about an inch apart. Or you can inject insulin into other parts of your body, including your thigh, arm, and buttocks.
Where on the thigh do you inject insulin?
Upper Outer Thigh – The top and outer area of the thigh is the best area to inject insulin. Leave at least 4 inches above the knee & at least 4 inches down from the top of the leg. Avoid injecting into your inner thigh – That region has fewer blood vessels and nerves.
