How do you give subcutaneous injections on the NHS?

  1. Holding the needle upwards, tap the syringe gently to move any air bubbles towards the needle.
  2. Push the plunger gently to remove the air bubble and squirt a small amount of the medicine into the air.
  3. Lift the skin in the chosen injection area between your thumb and index finger.

What is the correct technique for subcutaneous injection?

Subcutaneous injections can be given straight in at a 90 degree angle or at a 45 degree angle. Give the injection at a 90 degree angle if you can grasp 2 inches of skin between your thumb and first finger. If you can grasp only 1 inch of skin, give the injection at a 45 degree angle.

What are possible sites for subcutaneous injections?

The best areas on your body to give yourself a SQ injection are:

  • Upper arms. At least 3 inches (7.5 centimeters) below your shoulder and 3 inches (7.5 centimeters) above your elbow, on the side or back.
  • Outer side of upper thighs.
  • Belly area.

Which layer of skin is best for subcutaneous injections?

Subcutaneous (SC) injections are administered into the adipose tissue layer just below the epidermis and dermis. This tissue has few blood vessels, so drugs administered by this route have a slow, sustained rate of absorption.

Do you pinch skin giving subcutaneous injection?

PHE (2013) recommends that subcutaneous vaccinations are given with the needle at a 45-degree angle to the skin and the skin should be pinched together (PHE, 2013).

Do you massage after subcutaneous injection?

Do not massage area after injection. Withdrawing at the same angle as insertion minimizes discomfort to the patient and damage to the tissue. Proper needle disposal prevents needle-stick injuries. Massaging the area may spread the solution to the underlying subcutaneous tissue.

How do you give a painless subcutaneous injection?

A subcutaneous (SC) or intramuscular (IM) injection is almost always painless if the skin is stretched firmly before inserting the needle. If injecting the arm, for example, the third, fourth and fifth fingers should go medial to the arm while the thumb and index finger stretch the skin on the lateral surface (Fig.

How to give a subcutaneous injection?

How to Give A Subcutaneous Injection 1 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: 2 A subcutaneous injection is a shot given into… 3 There are 3 parts to a syringe: the needle, the barrel,… 4 Abdomen: Uncover your abdomen. 5 How do I choose the best place…

What drugs can be given subcutaneous?

Drugs that prevent nausea and vomiting like metoclopramide (Reglan) or dexamethasone (DexPak) can also be given via subcutaneous injection. Some vaccines and allergy shots are administered as a subcutaneous injection. Many other vaccines are administered as an intramuscular injection — into muscle tissue rather than under the skin.

What is the recommended needle angle for subcutaneous injections?

However, patient assessment is vital – patients who are cachectic and therefore have minimal amounts of subcutaneous tissue may require injections to be delivered at a 45-degree angle. PHE (2013) recommends that subcutaneous vaccinations are given with the needle at a 45-degree angle to the skin and the skin should be pinched together (PHE, 2013).

What is a subcutaneous syringe?

What is a subcutaneous injection? A subcutaneous injection is a shot given into the fat layer between the skin and muscle. Subcutaneous injections are used to give small amounts and certain kinds of medicine. What should I know about the syringe? There are 3 parts to a syringe: the needle, the barrel, and the plunger.