Subcutaneous Injections PN 11 Skills Lab Leslie Gifford

Subcutaneous Injections PN 11 Skills Lab Leslie Gifford Tracy Dunn Liz Mathewson

Parenteral Route • Consists of ID, Subcu, IM, (your scope) • Other routes outside of your scope include: – Intralesional; IV; intraspinal and intra-articlar spaces Over the next two weeks we will focus on subcutaneous and intramuscular. Refer to your pharmacology notes for absorption, distribution and excretion content

Subcutaneous Injection Equipment: • Syringes • Needles • Medication • Skin Prep • Personal Protective Equipment

Identifying the Needle & Syringe

Ampules • • Thin walled/glass Single dose Neck of ampule is snapped Medication withdrawn with needle and syringe

Vial • • Plastic or glass One or multi dose Opened by removing cap Mediation removed with syringe and needle through rubber diaphragm • Some need to be reconsitituted • Should be dated and have expiry date

Equipment Disposal • NEVER recap a used needle • At bedside, put cap in your pocket so you are not tempted to recap after administration. • Sharps container • Disposal in the home setting

Administering the Subcu Injection • Administer into fat below dermis and above muscle tissue • Pinch skin; aspirate • 45 to 90 degree angle • No more than 1 m. L per site • Needle length ½ to 5/8 inch (sometimes 1”) • 26 g to 30 g needle

Land-marking for Subcu Rotate Sites

Lifespan Consideration • Infants and Children: • Obese Adults: • Home care setting: Rotate Sites