Injections

Hana Svobodová10. 3. 2012

Types of containers

Medications for injection are supplied in several types of container :

Vials Ampules Cartridges

Utilising comfort measures

! Skill in administering injections minimizes

pain !

Prior to injecting the medication :

select the smallest gauge needle possible for the medication and injection site

inspect needle for sharpness tap the area lightly with

fingertips rotate sites

During injeciton

- insert the needle quickly without hesitation- inject the medication slowly (time for absorption)

After injection :

withdraw the needle quickly massage the injection site to

encourage absorption of the medication into the tissues – massage firmly but gently

NOTE : contraindication for massage is for intradermal injection, insulin, heparin

Intradermal injection = injection between layers of skin needle length – 0,6 – 1,3 cm syringe size – usually 1 ml (tuberkulin),

common dosage is 0,01 – 0,1 ml needle insertion angle – 5-15 degree usualy i.c. (i.d.) are for DIAGNOSTIC

purposes the substance injected into the skin

causes a local reaction : Wheal Blanched or reddened area Itches (if the test reaction is positive)

The most common sites: aspect of the forearm or upper back Hold the syringe almost PARALLEL to the

surface Do NOT massage the site after injecting the

solution Observe the reaction – the first 30 minutes after (for possibilitiy of serious allergic reaction or

anaphylactic shock)

Time for reaction varies from 15 min. to 24 hours.

(MANTOUX – tuberculosis test)

SUBCUTANEOUS INJECTION

Environment

Preparation - Patient- Medication

Administration

Injection Sites

Administering subcutaneous injections

s.c. is placed just under the deep skin layer

- the medication is absorbed more slowly than inj. i.m. or i.v. (during 20 – 30 minutes)

needle length - 1,3 – 2,5 cm syringe size – usually less than 2

ml, common dosage is 0,5 – 2,0 ml

Injection sites

the upper arm (m. biceps brachii) the thigh (m. quadriceps

femoralis,esp.for a self-administered inj.)

the abdomen dorsogluteal area For daily medication (diabetics) –

the inj. site is rotated on a regular schedule

Method of application :

grasp the injection site between thumb and forefinger to form a pad of subcutaneous tissue

needle insertion angle - 45 or 90 degree

Complications

administration into a vessel administration into the muscle hypertrofy of subcutaneous tissue lipodystrophy atrophy of skin infection at the injection site

Practical training

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEtyrR0GhQg&feature=related