How to give a subcutaneous injection. Subcutaneous injection - we give an injection subcutaneously

Due to the fact that the subcutaneous fat layer is richly supplied with blood vessels, subcutaneous injections are used for faster action of the drug.

Usually, solutions of drugs are administered that are quickly absorbed by loose subcutaneous tissue and do not have a harmful effect on it. Liquids from a small amount to 2 liters can be injected subcutaneously.

When performing subcutaneous injections, it is necessary to avoid the proximity of large vessels and nerve trunks. The most convenient sites for injection are the outer surface of the shoulder or the radial edge of the forearm, the subscapular space, the anterior surface of the thigh, the lateral surface of the abdominal wall and the lower part of the axillary region. In these areas, the skin is easily caught in the fold and there is no danger of damage to blood vessels, nerves and subcutaneous fat.

With subcutaneous administration, the absorption of medicinal substances, and therefore the manifestation of the therapeutic effect, occurs more slowly than with intramuscular and intravenous administration. However, in this case they act for a longer time. In case of peripheral circulatory insufficiency, subcutaneously administered substances are poorly absorbed.

Immediately before the injection, the air is forced out of the syringe, holding it vertically with the needle up. If the air bubbles in the solution are small, you need to pull back the piston so that they merge into one large one, and then use the piston to free yourself from it.

The surface of the skin where the injection is to be given is wiped twice with sterile cotton balls soaked in alcohol. The first time A is washed with a 10x10 cm area, and with the second cotton ball the immediate puncture site is 5x5 cm. Then this place is lubricated with an alcohol solution of iodine. If the skin is very dirty, it must be pre-treated with ether.

For injections of aqueous solutions, take a thin needle, for injections of oils, a thicker needle, for subcutaneous infusions, a needle 90 mm long with a lumen of 1 mm. With your left hand, grab the skin at the injection site into a fold, into the base of which the needle is inserted with a quick movement. There are two ways to hold the syringe and puncture the skin.

In the first method, the syringe cylinder is clamped between the first and second or third fingers, the fourth and fifth fingers, and the piston is held. The injection is made into the base of the skin fold from bottom to top (the patient is standing) at an angle of 30° to the surface of the shoulder. When piercing the skin, the lumen of the needle should always be facing upward.

For subcutaneous, intramuscular and intravenous injections, the needle is not inserted entirely, but approximately 2/3 of the length, since its fracture can only occur at the junction with the coupling. Having made a puncture of the skin, transfer the syringe to the left hand, pinch the rim of the cylinder with the second and third fingers of the right hand, and press the piston handle with the first finger, injecting the medicine. Then, with your left hand, apply a fresh cotton ball soaked in alcohol to the injection site and quickly remove the needle. The injection site of the medicine is lightly massaged with a cotton ball so that it is better distributed in the fiber and does not come out back.

The skin puncture site is lubricated with an alcohol solution of iodine. To avoid burns, a cotton ball moistened with an alcohol solution of iodine should not be kept at the injection site for a long time.

In the second method, the filled syringe is held vertically with the first and third or fourth fingers, with the needle down. Quickly inserting the needle, press the piston handle with a second finger and inject the medicine, after which the needle is removed.

Complications

violation of aseptic rules and insufficient sterilization of the solution can lead to local inflammation and even the development of a septic process. Clinically manifested by hyperthermia at the injection site and swelling. Hyperthermia can also be of a general nature;

erroneous administration of sodium chloride solution 10% solution (hypertonic solution) instead of 0.85% saline solution or some other hypertonic solution can lead to local necrosis;

introducing a solution that is too hot (above 40°C) can also cause tissue necrosis;

erroneous administration of medications not prescribed by a doctor or contraindicated for a given patient can lead to death.

The most common (more common) complication is infiltration - this is “reactive proliferation of tissue cells” around the site of mechanical trauma (as a result of injection with a blunt needle) and chemical irritation with a drug. especially oil solutions and suspensions; as a result of exposure to a microbial agent.

Infiltrate- local compaction and enlargement of tissues. The mechanism of development of infiltration in each specific case will be different, although the initial and final stages may coincide.

When poorly soluble drugs are administered, their absorption process slows down. To speed up the resorption of the resulting infiltrates, warm compresses and physiotherapy are used.

Abscess- organic accumulation of pus in tissues due to their inflammation with tissue melting and cavity formation. Characterized by local and general signs of inflammation (pain, hyperemia, hyperthermia, etc.).

They require either surgical intervention or (if the patient's condition allows) intensive conservative treatment (antibacterial therapy is required).

An important point is the prevention of infiltrates and abscesses - strict adherence to the rules of asepsis: the use of disposable syringes with an unexpired expiration date, reliable sterilization of instruments, treatment of the nurse’s hands, the patient’s skin, ampoules of the medicinal substance with 70% ethyl alcohol and sterile material, maintaining the sterility of instruments and medicinal solution.

"Nurse's Directory" 2004, "Eksmo"

Preliminary preparation for performing the manipulation:

– wash your hands thoroughly twice with soap and running water, dry with a clean individual towel or sterile disposable napkin. Treat with a 70% solution of ethyl alcohol, wear a gauze mask and sterile rubber gloves;

– remove the disposable syringe and needle from the package;

– draw the dose of the drug into the syringe, which is indicated on the prescription sheet, from an ampoule or bottle;

– place the syringe with the collected drug on a sterile tray;

– place 3 sterile cotton balls soaked in a 70% ethyl alcohol solution on this tray;

– in case of drug administration into the outer surface of the shoulder Invite the patient to sit comfortably on a chair and remove clothing from the injection site; the arm should be slightly bent at the elbow joint;

in the subscapular region Invite the patient to sit on a chair, straighten his back, press his left or right side to the back of the chair; the hand on the injection side should be lowered and pulled back slightly, while with the nurse’s left hand it will be easier to grasp the skin with subcutaneous tissue in a fold;

– in case of drug administration in the anterior outer surface of the thigh or in lateral areas of the abdomen Invite the patient to lie on his back and relax;

– for patients with a labile nervous system prone to dizziness, regardless of the chosen site of drug administration, the manipulation should be performed lying down.

The main stages of the manipulation:

1. Mark the injection site (outer surface of the shoulder, subscapular region, anterior outer surface of the thigh, lateral surfaces of the abdomen), where the skin and subcutaneous layer are well folded and there is no danger of damage to blood vessels, nerves and periosteum.

2. Palpate the selected area. The injection should not be performed in areas of swelling or compaction (infiltration) that remain from previous injections.

3. Wipe the injection site twice with sterile cotton balls soaked in a 70% ethyl alcohol solution.

4. Dip used cotton balls in a 5% chloramine solution in a container marked “For used cotton balls” for 1 hour.

5. Take the syringe filled with medicine with your right hand so that the second finger holds the needle sleeve, the last fingertips hold the syringe barrel. In this case, direct the cut of the needle upward (Fig. 7.8).

6. Using the index finger and thumb of the left hand in the appropriate area, grab the skin with subcutaneous tissue into a fold.

7. Insert the needle into the base of the formed fold at an acute angle (40-45°) with a quick movement, cutting upward to 2/3 of its length, that is, to a depth of 1-2 cm. In this case, the needle enters the subcutaneous layer. It is necessary to ensure that the needle is not completely inserted and that a part of the needle at least 0.5 cm long remains above the skin (Fig. 7.8).

Rice. 7.9. Performing a subcutaneous injection:

a) inserting a needle into the formed fold; b) administering the drug under the skin.

8. After puncturing the skin, release the fold, press the piston handle with the first or second finger of your left hand and completely introduce the medicine under the skin.

9. With your left hand, apply a sterile cotton ball soaked in a 70% ethyl alcohol solution to the injection site and quickly pull out the needle. Using the same cotton ball, lightly massage the injection site of the medicine so that it is better distributed under the skin, and also to prevent the occurrence of hemorrhage if the vessel wall is damaged by a needle. There is no need to massage after insulin administration.

10. Dip the used cotton ball into a 5% chloramine solution in a container marked “For used cotton balls” for 1 hour.

11. Disinfect the syringe and needle after use.

And problems do not arise if one of the relatives has a similar skill.

We perform the injection subcutaneously

Injecting the medicine subcutaneously involves placing an injection into the fatty layer located directly under the skin.

First of all, you need to decide on the injection site.

Most often, a subcutaneous injection is performed in the following places:

in the hand between the elbow and shoulder from behind or from the side;
in the anterior region of the abdomen above the hip and below the ribs, excluding the navel area;
into the area of the leg between the knee, thigh and groin.

The process of giving a subcutaneous injection to yourself includes the following steps:

wash your hands methodically with soap;
wipe the selected area with an alcohol-soaked cotton swab;
take a syringe with the drug prepared in advance, remove the cap;
carefully gather 2.5-5 cm of skin into a fold to increase the thickness of subcutaneous fat and more accurately deliver the substance into the fat layer and not into the muscle;
With a quick movement, insert the needle at an angle of 90 degrees into the entire length of the fold and release the skin;
at the same speed, pressing the piston, inject the drug;
Apply an alcohol-soaked cotton pad, remove the needle and hold the cotton pad for a while.

Injecting medication into the thigh yourself

The process of administering the drug through an injection into the thigh also requires determining the area for injection. You should sit on a chair and bend your knee.

The upper part of the thigh on the side, hanging slightly from the chair, will be a suitable area for the injection.

The technique of injecting yourself in the thigh includes the following steps:

wash your hands with soap;
sit on a chair and bend the leg on which the injection site is located at the knee;
wipe the injection area with an alcohol-soaked cotton swab;
relax the leg chosen for the injection as much as possible;
quickly insert the needle 2/3 of its length into the disinfected area;
gently pressing the piston, inject the drug;
press an alcohol-soaked cotton swab to the injection site and quickly remove the needle;
Slowly massage the injection area for faster absorption of the medicine.

The procedure for giving an injection to your buttock

Many people wonder how to give an injection in the buttock? Before administering the medicine, you will need to select the injection site.

To do this, you need to imagine a cross on the buttock, dividing it into 4 parts.

The injection should be carried out in the upper outer quadrant; here the risk of injury to the sciatic nerve is low.

After determining the site, you need to follow simple rules for placing an injection:

wash your hands with soap;
take a comfortable position standing or lying down;
bend your leg where the area chosen for the injection is located in order to relax the muscle;
wipe the injection area with an alcohol-soaked cotton pad;
remove the cap from the syringe;
insert the needle perpendicularly into the injection area 2/3 of its length;
inject the drug by gently pressing on the piston;
quickly remove the needle;
Press a cotton swab treated with an alcohol solution to the injection site.

To avoid lumps, bruises and ensure better absorption of the medicine, you can gently massage and knead the injection site with your fingers.

How to give an injection

The procedure is not complicated. The main thing is to overcome uncertainty and follow some rules for giving injections yourself.

Immediately before the process, you should prepare everything you need.

For the procedure you will need:

disposable syringe with a volume of 2.5–11 ml, depending on the amount of the drug administered. When choosing a syringe, you should be guided by the injection site.

If the substance is administered intramuscularly, you should choose syringes with the longest needles. When injecting subcutaneously, for example into the arm, the needle should be short;

ampoule with medicine;

alcohol to disinfect the injection area;

cotton balls, disks or napkins.

After methodically washing your hands, you need to take the ampoule, treat it with an alcohol solution, shake the contents and file the tip with a special nail file. You should file at a distance of approximately 1 cm from the beginning of the ampoule.
Then wrap the tip with a cotton pad and carefully break it off.
Next, remove the cap from the syringe needle and immerse it to the bottom in the ampoule.
Draw up the medicine and, holding the syringe in a vertical position, tap it with your fingertip. This is necessary so that the air remaining in the container collects in its upper part.
Next, gradually pressing on the piston, you should push the air bubble out of the syringe through the needle and wait until a drop of the drug appears at its tip.
Close the prepared syringe with a cap, set it aside and begin choosing a place to inject the product.

Medical experts advise giving injections intramuscularly in the buttock. It is possible to inject into the arm or thigh, but in the first case there is likely to be a lack of muscle mass, and in the second there is an unpleasant pulling sensation in the leg after the injection.

The position when giving the injection should first of all be comfortable. Most often, it is recommended to carry out the procedure while standing half-sided towards the mirror, but it is also possible to administer the drug while lying on your side. The main thing is that the surface is hard enough.

Videos on this topic

Basic safety rules and implementation techniques

How to give an intramuscular injection, following the necessary safety rules:

The injection site should not have any damage, wounds, or purulent inflammation. If any, it is necessary to determine another injection site.
Mandatory alternation of injection areas to avoid damage to the skin.
Do not reuse a needle or syringe. At the end of the procedure, used instruments should be disposed of.

Complications if performed incorrectly

The most common problem after an intramuscular injection is a hematoma or bruise.

It can occur when small vessels are damaged by a needle or the drug is administered too quickly.

The bruise goes away on its own and does not require additional treatment.

If the medicine injected into the muscle is not completely absorbed, a compaction may form under the skin. Here it is possible to use pharmaceutical ointments to speed up resorption or apply warm compresses.

It is an abscess that forms when harmful microbes enter the skin at the time of injection. This happens in case of insufficient disinfection of the injection area, hands and non-compliance with general safety rules.

Signs of this phenomenon are:

In such a situation, you should immediately consult a doctor. In this case, you should not touch the sore spot with your hands for the purpose of massage or applying compresses. Therapeutic actions can be carried out only as prescribed by a doctor. If the problem is advanced, surgical intervention may be required.

Carrying out the procedure for giving injections to yourself generally does not pose any significant difficulties. The main thing is to follow the rules of disinfection, hygiene and the right choice of injection site. But if the slightest uncertainty arises, it is better to consult a specialist for the procedure in order to avoid possible complications.

How to give an injection in the buttock
How to give intramuscular injections correctly

I used to always be amazed at the ability of ordinary people to give injections. In our family, my dad gave injections to everyone with his eyes closed. But recently my dog got sick, its hind legs gave out, they prescribed three injections a day, I didn’t have the opportunity to take it to the veterinary clinic every day, and I didn’t want to torture the dog. My husband and I learned how to give injections like little ones; in a hopeless situation, a person is capable of a lot. At first I administered it with an insulin syringe; we needed a small dose. Compared to regular syringes, the insulin needle is thinner, and there is no cracking sound when inserted into the skin, like with a regular one.

I agree that the most important thing is to overcome fear and self-doubt. I was also prescribed a course of daily injections, but I couldn’t find someone who would come to my house three times a day and give injections. And besides, it would be a waste of money. So I decided to pull myself together and do everything on my own. At first, I stood in front of the mirror for a very long time, adapting to the position in which it would be most convenient to perform the procedure. She carefully chose the injection site. Since the injection had to be given in the buttock, I did as written in the article - I mentally drew a cross on it, dividing it into four parts. In general, everything worked out for me, even on the first try. And how much fear there was, it’s impossible to express in words. That's why. I will repeat once again that the main thing is to be confident in yourself and that everything will certainly go well.

Despite the fact that I have repeatedly had to prescribe a course of injections not only for myself, but also for my relatives, every time I break into a sweat. But, as they say, need will force... The greatest difficulty for me is the need to open the ampoule. Many medicines do not have a device that can be used to file it; you need to focus on the “point,” as a result of which more than once I had to either crumble the tip of the ampoule, or cut myself with glass, or, in general, turn to others for help.

Indeed, when the urge comes and you learn to give injections without having the skills. I encountered this myself. When the neurologist prescribed a course of treatment, and then there were injections. My husband installed it first, and then he went on a business trip.

I had to do it myself, at first it was scary, my hands were shaking, it didn’t work in the buttocks, my hands are thin, it’s scary to even put it there. In the end, I put it in the thigh, although for some reason the bruises remained afterwards.

Also girls, advice for those who don’t know how to open an ampoule if the kit doesn’t come with a cutter, I don’t recommend breaking it, the glass may fly off. Take a manicure nail file, just treat it with alcohol first, it does an excellent job of filing ampoules. I did this myself.

How to give an injection in the arm

In cases where an immediate effect of the drug is not required, doctors prescribe subcutaneous injections. The most preferred place for them is the upper part of the arm.

Sponsor of the placement P&G Articles on the topic “How to give an injection in the arm” How to give injections correctly How to give an intramuscular injection to a person How to give subcutaneous injections

The medicine administered subcutaneously is quickly absorbed into the blood due to the fact that the subcutaneous fat layer is rich in blood vessels. The effect of such an injection occurs later than from intravenous administration of the drug, but at the same time, the medicine taken orally (in the form of a capsule or tablet) acts even more slowly. Injections of hormonal drugs (growth hormone, insulin, etc.) and some vaccinations are most often given into the arm.

Wash your hands with soap and then wipe them with cotton wool soaked in alcohol.

Select the location where the injection will be given. It is important that the distance from the previous injection site is at least two to three centimeters. If this condition is not met, there is a high risk that painful lumps or even scars will appear on the arm.

Disinfect the area where the injection will be given. To do this, moisten a cotton ball generously with alcohol and wipe the entire upper part of your arm (above the elbow). Then soak another piece of cotton wool with alcohol and lubricate the skin only where the injection will be made.

Fill the syringe with medicine. For subcutaneous injections, only an insulin syringe (volume no more than 1 ml) is suitable. Make sure that no air bubble gets into it along with the medicine.

Form a triangular fold of leather on your hand. Take the syringe in your dominant hand (right-handers - in the right, left-handers - in the left).

Insert the needle two-thirds of the way into the base of the skin fold. Its angle of inclination should be 45 degrees.

Inject the medicine by gently pressing the plunger of the syringe with your thumb.

Remove the needle from the skin fold and then apply a cotton ball soaked in alcohol to the injection site. Lightly massage the injection site in a circular motion so that the medicine is distributed faster and there is no lump left under the skin.

Replace the needle cap and throw the used syringe into the trash.

How to give an injection to a dog

A dog can get sick completely unexpectedly for the most trivial reason. Often, in order to provide timely assistance to their pet, the owner must know how to inject the dog intramuscularly or subcutaneously, without waiting for the veterinarian to arrive. Having the skill to independently administer injections to an animal will allow you to quickly relieve pain or eliminate other negative symptoms, as well as save time and money if a long course of treatment is necessary. To do this, you should learn the correct injection technique and remember the rules for this procedure.

Basic injection rules

Before injecting your dog, you need to correctly determine which drug should be administered and in what quantity. This can only be a medicine prescribed by a veterinarian, or one that has already been used before in similar situations.

The second important condition is the calm state of the dog. If the animal is not given due to a playful mood or, conversely, does not allow access because it is afraid of the syringe, someone must hold it during the procedure. Otherwise, the needle may break, and it will be very difficult to remove the tip remaining in the body on your own. Therefore, the pet needs to be morally adjusted - petted, calmed down.

In addition, giving an injection to a dog requires compliance with certain rules:

Do not reuse the needle or touch it with your hands;
Mixing several drugs in one syringe is not allowed unless prescribed by a veterinarian or in the instructions;
It is prohibited to store an opened ampoule - if its volume is greater than a single dosage, the remainder is taken into different syringes, dose by dose, and placed in the refrigerator for no longer than 3 days;
Before administration, the medicine is warmed in the hands to room temperature.

The dog's skin is not treated before the injection, since it is equipped with its own antibacterial layer. But there should be no violation of the integrity of the skin at the injection site.

Direct preparation for the injection is as follows:

Wash your hands thoroughly and wipe your hands with alcohol or disinfectant.
Open the ampoule and draw the medicine into the syringe.
Raise the needle up and release the air from the syringe with the movement of the piston until a drop of medicine appears.

Important! The basic requirements for performing the procedure for injecting medicine into a dog are sterility, the correct injection site and compliance with the dosage. You need to clearly understand what should be administered to the animal where and how much.

Subcutaneous injections

If the annotation for the medicine or the veterinarian's recommendations indicate that the dog should be given a subcutaneous injection, then the needle is inserted under the skin (without penetrating the muscle) on the withers, shoulder or inner thigh. When choosing the injection site, it should be taken into account that the withers are the least sensitive, but very dense and thick. The inner surface of the thighs, on the contrary, is very soft, but is penetrated by a large number of vessels that can be easily pierced with a needle. Therefore, if you have no experience, it is better to give a subcutaneous injection to the dog in the withers or shoulder. If the course of treatment is long, and the drug causes severe pain when administered, it is recommended to inject alternately - at the withers, one and the other shoulder.

How to give an injection to a dog at the withers

The withers are the place between the shoulder blades, which is designed by nature to protect the dog during fights with other animals. That is why the skin here is rough and not very sensitive. This imposes certain requirements on the injection - in order not to bend the needle, it is injected more slowly than usual.

Before injecting your dog at the withers, it is important to correctly determine the injection site. Since this area borders the neck, you cannot pierce the skin too high, otherwise it will be injured by the collar, which is dangerous due to irritation, infection and the development of an inflammatory process.

The procedure is carried out according to the following scheme:

the skin is pressed into a fold and the top is pulled back;
the needle is inserted at the bottom of the fold, just above the place where the skin has moved away from the body, at an angle of 45º;
the depth of penetration of the needle is controlled so that it just enters the subcutaneous space (this will be indicated by the cessation of skin resistance);
After this, the medicine is released by pressing on the piston.

It is necessary to carefully focus on the process so as not to pierce the second side of the fold and not release the drug out. The advantage is that there are no nerves or important blood vessels on the withers, so it is impossible to harm the dog.

Technique of injections in other places

Since the method of subcutaneous administration of the drug is always the same and does not depend on the injection site, it must be performed according to the same scheme as an injection into the dog’s withers. The only differences may lie in the method of puncturing the skin - the denser it is, the slower the needle must be inserted. The injection speed of the medicine itself does not matter during subcutaneous injection.

Other places to administer the drug under the skin are:

In rare cases, according to individual indications, a dog is given an injection under the shoulder blade.

Theoretically, a subcutaneous injection can be given throughout the animal's entire body. But if we take into account a number of physiological characteristics and the risk of complications, then it is better to stab only in the withers and shoulder.

Important! Dogs are very sensitive to their owner's insecurity and nervousness. Therefore, when giving an injection, precision and speed in performing all manipulations is necessary.

Intramuscular injections (in the thigh)

Antibiotics and slowly dissolving compounds are injected deep into the muscle tissue. Since such injections are almost always given in the thigh, the term “intramuscular injection in a dog” is used very rarely by veterinarians and is less familiar to dog breeders than the prescription “injection in the thigh.”

When performing this procedure, the following rules must be observed:

an injection into a dog’s thigh cannot be given into a tense muscle - if tightness is felt, you must first stretch the paw, bending it slightly, and calm (relax) the dog;
the needle is inserted into the muscle at a right angle;
the depth of needle insertion for dogs up to 10 kg is 0.6–1.5 cm, for more massive ones – 1.3–3.5 cm;
When choosing a puncture site, you should take into account that not all points are suitable for this - it is important not to hit the nerve trunks in the thickness of the muscles.

For a more detailed and visual study of the procedure, it is recommended to watch a training video on how to inject a dog intramuscularly. By observing the veterinarian’s manipulations, you can easily and quickly learn the injection technique.

Possible complications

Problems may occur after the injection, even if everything was done correctly. The needle injures tissue, be it skin or muscles, as well as the vessels in them. Therefore, the appearance of a small amount of blood is a completely natural phenomenon that does not pose any danger. You just need to wipe it off by soaking the bandage in a disinfectant. To stop heavier bleeding, it is recommended to apply ice for 15-25 minutes. If this does not help, you should contact your veterinarian.

A number of other consequences can result from injecting a dog into a muscle, including:

formation of a hematoma due to excessive bleeding under the skin, on which an iodine mesh or magnesium should be applied (for 20 minutes);
a needle getting into a nerve, after which the animal will experience pain, limp, tuck or pull its paw, which requires treatment from a veterinarian, usually with a novocaine blockade;

the appearance of blood in the syringe is also the result of getting into a blood vessel, after which you need to remove the needle, wipe off the blood and inject with a new needle in another place;
the introduction of the wrong drug or a violation of the method of administration (intramuscular instead of intravenous) is corrected by injecting the injection site with Ringer's solution or novocaine.

A special approach is required for the administration of drugs that are characterized by increased injection pain. To minimize discomfort for your dog, you must:

place each injection in a different place;
reduce the concentration of the drug using solvents;
use painkillers (novocaine, lidocaine).

If several drugs are prescribed at the same time, it is necessary to separate them into very important and non-essential ones. The latter can be used with less regularity, at least for the first time, to reduce the load on the dog’s body and psyche. In difficult situations, it is recommended to insert a catheter into the paw to reduce injury to muscle tissue. But such a treatment plan should be developed by an experienced veterinarian.

When injecting a dog in the leg, you need to be patient, do not use force and do not try to influence by shouting. While petting and talking to the animal, you should naturally straighten your paw and quietly inject. You shouldn’t be nervous or panic – your pet will feel it. You must act boldly and confidently. If it is difficult to do this alone, you can use the help of a person whom the dog also trusts, or train your hand in advance.

You can also ask questions to our site's in-house veterinarian, who will answer them as quickly as possible in the comment box below.

How to properly inject yourself or someone else

In this article we will tell you in detail how to give an injection correctly to someone or yourself. Quite often, as part of the treatment, medications are prescribed in the form of injections or, simply put, injections. Of course, it is preferable for them to be done by a doctor. But there are situations when the nearest clinic is not open, or you and your family do not have the opportunity to go there every day for injections.

In this case, the ability to give injections at home is a real salvation. At home, you can give intramuscular injections yourself or inject the drug under the skin. Both methods can and should be learned in order to provide timely help to both yourself and a loved one if necessary.

What you will find in this article:

How to give injections correctly

Intramuscular injections are given in the area where some of the largest muscles in the body are located - the gluteal muscle, the outer thigh, or the deltoid muscle.

If you do a subcutaneous injection, then choose places with a good subcutaneous layer of fat - the abdominal area or the inner thigh is suitable for this purpose. It is convenient to give injections in these places and independently - for yourself.

Injections in the buttock or thigh area are made in such a way that the injection area is not repeated. That is, you cannot prick in the same place - it is both painful and fraught with the appearance of bruises or hardening.

Experts recommend choosing a two-cc syringe with a thin needle for injections - it is more convenient to administer the drug and does not leave any seals. Of course, such a choice is possible if there are no special instructions from the doctor. In this case, you must follow the specific recommendations issued.

When administering an intramuscular injection, keep the needle vertical to the surface of the skin, with a slight inclination. And with subcutaneous application - at an angle of 45 degrees.

Always carefully read the instructions for the injected drug - because some of them require additional components for injection. For example, lidocaine or a special aqueous solution.

Also, before each injection, you must wash your hands to prevent the possibility of foreign microorganisms getting into the wound. Despite the fact that the injection site is always treated with alcohol, this is not enough to ensure the necessary sterility.

How to give an injection into the gluteal muscle at home

Many drugs, including antibiotics, are prescribed by injection - intramuscularly. The course of such injections can have different timing, and very often a situation arises when the injection must be given either early in the morning or late in the evening. At this time, the nearest clinic is no longer open, so it is very important to be able to give injections yourself.

Intramuscular injections are most often given in the buttock - this is one of the largest muscles in our body. There are also no nerve ganglia or large vessels in this area. It is recommended to do the injection while lying down - so that the muscles relax. This not only reduces the pain of the process, but also prevents the risk of accidentally breaking the needle.

Before you start administering the drug, you must make sure that the medicine has a valid expiration date. Also wash your hands with soap or use an antiseptic solution.

Shake the ampoule, tap its top with your fingernail so that all the liquid is at the bottom. The ampoule cap is filed with a special file and the tip is broken off. The medicine is drawn into the syringe in the needle-up position, after which the syringe plunger is slowly pressed to push the air out of the needle. A sign of success in this case will be droplets of the drug at the tip of the syringe.

The injection is given in the upper part of the buttock, after palpating the area for the presence of lumps. Next, you need to fix the skin at the injection site with two fingers - the thumb and forefinger.

The injection itself is done as follows:

The syringe is held with all fingers at once - vertically, with a slight inclination relative to the surface of the buttock. In one movement, the needle must be inserted to ¾ of its length - approximately 1 cm should remain on the surface.
With one hand, hold the syringe in a stationary position, and with the thumb of the other hand, slowly press the plunger - while the drug is injected gradually. This is necessary in order to eliminate pain and the appearance of a lump at the injection site.
After administering the drug, you need to press the alcohol-containing cotton wool to the point where the needle enters the skin and pull it out in one motion. The cotton wool is left at the injection site for some time for disinfection.

It is important to rub the injection site so that the drug spreads better throughout the body, as well as to avoid stagnation. Very often, patients complain of bruising or hardening at the injection site. To prevent such phenomena, you need to rub the injection area with light massage movements.

How to inject yourself in the buttock

This useful skill will be useful to everyone, because it is not always possible to go to a clinic or use the services of a qualified nurse who would come to your home.

Despite the apparent complexity, the principle of action is the same as when you inject another person. The only difference is that you need to pay special attention to preparing for the injection.

In order to give yourself an injection into the gluteal muscle, you need to stand in front of a mirror so that you can clearly see your buttock.

Then you need to transfer the body weight from one leg to the other according to the following principle - if you, for example, give an injection in the left buttock, then the body weight should be transferred to the right leg.

In this case, the left buttock will remain relaxed - which is necessary for the injection. Further actions are similar to those when administering an injection for another person.

Insert the needle in one movement so that approximately 1 cm remains on the surface - this is necessary in case the needle suddenly breaks. But, according to doctors, such cases are rare. This is possible in the event of a sharp contraction of the muscle when it becomes tense.

How to give yourself an injection in the thigh

The femoral muscle is also well suited for drug administration. This intramuscular injection option may be more convenient if you are unable to inject yourself in the buttock. And both methods differ, again, in the way they prepare the site for the future injection.

This injection is given while sitting on a chair, with the leg bent at the knee. The part suitable for the injection will be the one that hangs slightly from the chair when bent - this is the anterior lateral part of the femoral muscle. Further actions are the same as with intramuscular injections into the gluteal muscle. Try to relax your leg as much as possible, do not strain the muscle.

How to give a subcutaneous injection

If you think that it is impossible to give subcutaneous injections at home, then you are mistaken. The basic principle is the same as with intramuscular injections. But there are some differences:

the skin at the injection site should be slightly folded;
the needle must be inserted at an angle of 45 degrees - that is, just under a thin layer of skin, and not deep inside - unlike an intramuscular injection, in this case the needle is inserted in one movement, but slowly.

The advantage of subcutaneous injections is that they are less painful than intramuscular ones.

There is nothing complicated in these actions, but there is only one limitation - rather psychological. This is the fear of piercing your own body with a needle in your own hands. Therefore, the main thing is to overcome this barrier.

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With diabetes, patients have to inject insulin into the body every day to regulate blood sugar levels. For this purpose, it is important to be able to use insulin syringes yourself, calculate the dosage of the hormone and know the algorithm for administering a subcutaneous injection. Parents of children with diabetes should also be able to perform such manipulations.

The subcutaneous injection method is used most often in cases where it is required that the drug be absorbed into the blood evenly. The drug thus enters the subcutaneous fatty tissue.

This is a fairly painless procedure, so this method can be used for insulin therapy. If you use the intramuscular route to inject insulin into the body, absorption of the hormone occurs very quickly, so such an algorithm can harm a diabetic by causing glycemia.

It is important to consider that diabetes mellitus requires regular changes of subcutaneous injection sites. For this reason, after about a month, you should choose a different area of the body for the injection.

The technique of painlessly administering insulin is usually practiced on yourself, and the injection is given using a sterile saline solution. The algorithm for a competent injection can be explained by the attending physician.

The rules for performing a subcutaneous injection are quite simple. Before each procedure, you must wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap; they can also be additionally treated with an antiseptic solution.

Insulin administration using syringes is performed using sterile rubber gloves. It is important to ensure proper lighting in the room.

To administer a subcutaneous injection you will need:

An insulin syringe with a needle of the required volume installed.
A sterile tray where cotton swabs and balls are placed.
Medical alcohol 70%, which is used to treat the skin at the site of the insulin injection.
Special container for the material used.
Disinfectant solution for processing syringes.

Before injecting insulin, a thorough inspection of the injection site should be performed. The skin should not show any damage, symptoms of dermatological disease or irritation. If there is swelling, a different area is selected for the injection.

For subcutaneous injection, you can use the following body parts:

Outer humeral surface;
Anterior outer surface of the thigh;
The lateral surface of the abdominal wall;
The area under the shoulder blade.

Since there is usually virtually no subcutaneous fat in the area of the arms and legs, insulin injections are not given there. Otherwise, the injection will not be subcutaneous, but intramuscular.

In addition to the fact that such a procedure is very painful, administering the hormone this way can lead to complications.

How is a subcutaneous injection done?

The diabetic makes an injection with one hand and holds the desired area of skin with the other. The algorithm for correct administration of the drug consists, first of all, in the correct capture of the skin fold.

With clean fingers, you need to grab the area of the skin where the injection will be administered into the fold.

There is no need to squeeze the skin, as this will lead to bruising.

It is important to choose a suitable area where there is a lot of subcutaneous tissue. If you are thin, this place can be the gluteal region. To carry out the injection, you don’t even need to make a fold, you just need to feel the fat under the skin and inject into it.
The insulin syringe should be held like a dart - using your thumb and three other fingers. The technique of administering insulin has a basic rule - so that the injection does not cause pain to the patient, it must be done quickly.
The algorithm for performing a shot is similar in action to throwing a dart; the darts playing technique will be an ideal hint. The main thing is to hold the syringe tightly so that it does not jump out of your hands. If the doctor taught you to administer a subcutaneous injection by touching the tip of the needle to the skin and gradually pressing in, this method is erroneous.
The skin fold is formed depending on the length of the needle. For obvious reasons, insulin syringes with short needles will be most convenient and will not cause pain to a diabetic.
The syringe accelerates to the required speed when it is at a distance of ten centimeters from the site of the future injection. This will allow the needle to instantly penetrate the skin. Acceleration is imparted through the movement of the entire arm, the forearm also participates in this. When the syringe is close to the skin area, the wrist guides the tip of the needle exactly to the target.
After the needle penetrates the skin, you need to press the piston all the way, injecting the entire volume of insulin. After the injection, you cannot immediately remove the needle; you need to wait five seconds, after which it is removed with quick movements.

You should not use oranges or other fruits as a workout.

To learn how to accurately hit the desired target, the throwing technique is practiced with a syringe with a plastic cap on the needle.

How to fill a syringe

It is important not only to know the algorithm for performing injections, but also to be able to correctly fill the syringe and know.

After removing the plastic cap, you need to draw a certain amount of air into the syringe, equal to the volume of insulin injected.
Using a syringe, the rubber cap on the bottle is pierced, after which all the collected air is released from the syringe.
After this, the syringe with the bottle is turned upside down and held vertically.
The syringe must be pressed tightly into the palm of your hand using your little fingers, after which the piston is sharply pulled down.
You need to draw into the syringe a dosage of insulin that is 10 units more than required.
The piston is pressed smoothly until the required dose of the drug is in the syringe.
After removal from the bottle, the syringe is held vertically.

Simultaneous administration of different types of insulin

Diabetics often use different types of insulin in order to urgently normalize blood sugar levels. Usually this injection is carried out in the morning.

The algorithm has a certain sequence of injections:

Initially, you need to inject ultra-thin insulin.
Next, short-acting insulin is administered.
After this, extended-release insulin is used.

If Lantus is used as a long-acting hormone, the injection is performed using a separate syringe. The fact is that if any dose of another hormone gets into the bottle, the acidity of insulin changes, which can lead to unpredictable consequences.

Under no circumstances should you mix different types of hormones in a common bottle or in one syringe. An exception would be Hagedorn neutral protamine insulin, which slows down the action of short-acting insulin before meals.

If insulin leaks at the injection site

After the injection is completed, you need to touch the injection site and raise your finger to your nose. If you smell preservatives, this indicates that insulin has leaked from the puncture area.

In this case, you should not additionally administer the missing dose of the hormone. It should be noted in the diary that there was a loss of the drug. If a diabetic's sugar increases, the reason for this condition will be obvious and clear. It is necessary to normalize blood glucose levels when the effect of the administered hormone is completed.

Medicinal injections can be done at home, observing all precautions and the administration algorithm.

Features of intramuscular injections

Intramuscular injection (injection) is a parenteral method of administering a drug, previously converted into a solution, by injecting it into the thickness of the muscle structures with a needle. All injections are classified into 2 main types - intramuscular and intravenous. If injections for intravenous administration must be entrusted to professionals, then intramuscular administration can be carried out both in the hospital and at home. Intramuscular injection can also be practiced by people who are far from medicine, including teenagers, if constant injection treatment is necessary. The following anatomical zones are suitable for injection:

gluteal region(upper square);

hip(outer side);

shoulder area.

Administration to the femoral region is preferable, but the choice of injection site depends on the nature of the drug. Antibacterial drugs are traditionally placed in the gluteal region due to high pain. Before the injection is administered, the patient needs to relax as much as possible, sit comfortably on a couch, sofa, table. Conditions must be conducive to the administration of the drug. If a person injects himself independently, the muscles of the injection area should be relaxed while the arm is tense.

Intramuscular injections are the best alternative to oral medications due to the rapidity of action of the active substance and minimizing the risk of side effects from the gastrointestinal tract.

Parenteral administration significantly reduces the risks of allergic reactions and drug intolerance.

Pros and cons of injections

The rate of maximum concentration of drugs for intramuscular injection is slightly lower than for drugs for infusion (intravenous) administration, but not all drugs are intended for administration through venous access. This is due to the possibility of damage to the venous walls and a decrease in the activity of the medicinal substance. Aqueous and oily solutions and suspensions can be administered intramuscularly.

The advantages of drugs for intramuscular administration are the following:

the possibility of introducing solutions of different structures;

the possibility of introducing depot preparations for better transport of the active substance, to provide a prolonged result;

rapid entry into the blood;

introduction of substances with pronounced irritating properties.

The disadvantages include the difficulty of self-injection into the gluteal region, the risk of nerve damage when inserting a needle, and the danger of getting into a blood vessel with complex medicinal compositions.

Some drugs are not administered intramuscularly. Thus, calcium chloride can provoke necrotic tissue changes in the area of needle insertion, inflammatory foci of varying depth. Certain knowledge will allow you to avoid unpleasant consequences from improper administration of injections in violation of technology or safety rules.

Consequences of incorrect setting

The main causes of complications after erroneous administration are considered to be various violations of the technique of administering injection drugs and non-compliance with the antiseptic treatment regimen. The consequences of errors are the following reactions:

embolic reactions, when a needle with an oil solution penetrates the wall of a vessel;

the formation of infiltration and compaction due to non-compliance with the aseptic regime and constant administration in the same place;

abscess due to infection of the injection site;

nerve damage due to incorrect choice of injection site;

atypical allergic reactions.

To reduce the risk of side effects, you should relax the muscle as much as possible. This will avoid breaking thin needles when administering the drug. Before administration, you need to know the rules for the injection procedure.

How to do it correctly - instructions

Before insertion, the area of intended insertion must be inspected for integrity. It is contraindicated to inject into an area with visible skin lesions, especially those of a pustular nature. The area should be palpated for the presence of tubercles and compactions. The skin should come together well without causing pain. Before administration, the skin is folded and the drug is injected. This manipulation helps to safely administer the drug to children, adults and malnourished patients.

What is needed for the injection?

To streamline the procedure, everything you need should be at hand. Also, a place for treatment must be equipped. If multiple injections are necessary, a separate room or corner for administering the injection is suitable. Giving an injection requires preparation of the site, the working area and the injection site on the human body. To carry out the procedure you will need the following items:

medicinal solution or dry substance in an ampoule;

three-component syringe with a volume of 2.5 to 5 ml (according to the dosage of the drug);

cotton balls soaked in an alcohol solution;

ampoules with saline solution and other solvent (if necessary, introducing powder).

Before the injection, you should check the integrity of the drug packaging, as well as the ease of opening the container. This will allow you to avoid unforeseen factors when giving an injection, especially when it comes to young children.

Preparation for the process

To prepare, you should use the following step-by-step algorithm:

the workplace must be clean, the paraphernalia must be covered with a clean cotton towel;

the integrity of the ampoule must not be compromised, the expiration dates and storage conditions of the medicine must be observed;

The ampoule should be shaken before administration (unless otherwise indicated in the instructions);

the tip of the ampoule is treated with alcohol, filed or broken;

After taking the medicine, it is tedious to release excess air from the syringe container.

The patient should be in a supine position, which reduces the risk of spontaneous muscle contraction and needle fracture. Relaxation reduces pain, risks of injury and unpleasant consequences after insertion.

Administration of the drug

After selecting a location, the area is cleared of clothing, palpated and treated with an antiseptic. When inserting into the gluteal region, it is necessary to press your left hand to the buttock so that the area of intended insertion is between the index and thumb. This allows the skin to be fixed. With your left hand, slightly stretch the skin at the injection site. The injection is made with sharp, confident movements with a slight swing. For painless insertion, the needle should enter 3/4 of the length.

The optimal needle length for intramuscular injection is no more than 4 cm. The needle can be inserted at a slight angle or vertically. The protective cap from the needle is removed immediately before the injection.

After insertion, the syringe is intercepted with the left hand to securely fix it, and the piston is pressed with the right hand and the medicine is gradually injected. If you inject too quickly, a lump may form. After completion, alcoholized cotton wool is applied to the injection area, after which the needle is removed. The injection site should be massaged with an alcohol-soaked cotton ball to prevent the formation of a lump. This will also eliminate the risk of infection.

If the injection is given to a child, it is better to prepare a small syringe with a small and thin needle. Before conducting, it is recommended to grab the skin into a fold along with the muscle. Before injecting yourself, you should practice in front of a mirror to choose the optimal position.

Features of insertion into the buttock

Insertion into the buttock is considered the traditional injection site. To correctly determine the area of intended injection, the buttock is conventionally divided into a square and the upper right or upper left is selected. These areas are safe from accidental needle or drug entry into the sciatic nerve. You can define the zone differently. You need to step back down from the protruding pelvic bones. This will not be difficult for slender patients.

Intramuscular injections can be water or oil. When injecting an oil solution, the needle must be inserted carefully so as not to damage the blood vessels. Drugs for administration should be at room temperature (unless otherwise indicated). This way the medicine disperses throughout the body faster and is easier to administer. When injecting an oil preparation, after inserting the needle, the piston is pulled towards itself. If there is no blood, the procedure is completed painlessly. If blood appears in the syringe reservoir, you should slightly change the depth or angle of the needle. In some cases, it is necessary to replace the needle and try again to inject.

Before inserting a needle into the buttock, you should practice yourself in front of a mirror and completely relax during the manipulation.

The following step-by-step instructions should be followed:

inspect the ampoule for integrity and expiration dates;
shake the contents so that the medicine is evenly distributed throughout the ampoule;
treat the intended injection site with alcohol;
remove the protective cap from the needle and the drug;
inject the medicine into the syringe reservoir;
gather the skin into a fold and press the buttock with your left hand so that the injection area is between the index and thumb;
administer the drug;
apply alcohol-soaked cotton wool and pull out the needle;
massage the injection area.

The alcohol cotton wool should be thrown away 10-20 minutes after the injection. If the injection is given to a small child, you should seek the help of third parties to immobilize the baby. Any sudden movement during injection can lead to a broken needle and increased pain from the injection of the drug.

In the thigh

The insertion zone into the thigh is the vastus lateralis muscle. Unlike insertion into the gluteal muscle, the syringe is inserted with two fingers of one hand using the principle of holding a pencil. This measure prevents the needle from entering the periosteum or sciatic nerve structure. To carry out the manipulation, the following rules must be observed:

muscles should be relaxed:

patient's posture - sitting with knees bent;

palpating the area of intended injection;

antiseptic surface treatment;

piercing and fixing the syringe;

injection of a medicinal product;

clamp the insertion area with a cotton ball soaked in alcohol;

massaging the injection area.

If there is a significant amount of subcutaneous fat in the thigh area, it is recommended to take a needle of at least 6 mm. When administering the drug to children or debilitated patients, the injection area is formed in the form of a fold, which necessarily includes the lateral muscle. This will ensure that the drug reaches the muscle and reduce the pain of the injection.

In the shoulder

Administration into the shoulder is due to difficult penetration and absorption of the drug during subcutaneous administration. Also, localization is chosen if the injection is painful and difficult to tolerate by children and adults. The injection is placed in the deltoid muscle of the shoulder, provided that other areas are inaccessible for manipulation or several injections are required. Insertion into the shoulder requires dexterity and skill, despite the accessibility of the intended insertion area.

The main danger is damage to nerves, blood vessels, and the formation of inflammatory foci. The basic rules for giving an injection in the shoulder are as follows:

determination of the area of intended introduction;

palpation and disinfection of the injection area;

fixing the syringe and confidently inserting the needle;

injecting the solution, applying alcohol wool and withdrawing the needle.

To determine the zone, it is necessary to conditionally divide the upper part of the arm into 3 parts. To inject, you need to select the middle lobe. The shoulder should be free of clothing. At the moment of the injection, the arm should be bent. The subcutaneous injection should be made at an angle at the base of the muscle structure, and the skin should be folded.

Security measures

Injections are a minimally invasive procedure, so it is important to follow all precautions. Knowledge will help prevent the risks of complications in the form of local reactions and inflammation. The basic rules include the following:

If there is a series of procedures, then the injection area should be changed every day. You cannot give the injection in the same place. Alternating the injection zone reduces the pain of injection and reduces the risk of hematomas, papules, and bruises.

It is important to ensure the integrity of the packaging of the drug and the syringe. You only need to use a disposable syringe. Sterility in injection matters is the main aspect of safety.

If there are no conditions for unhindered administration of the drug on the patient’s body, it is better to use a 2-cc syringe and a thin needle. This way there will be fewer seals, less pain, and the drug will disperse faster into the bloodstream.

Used syringes, needles, and solution ampoules should be disposed of as household waste. Used cotton wool, gloves, and packaging must also be thrown away.

If the oil solution gets into the blood, an embolism may develop, so before injection you should pull the syringe plunger towards you. If during this manipulation blood begins to enter the syringe reservoir, this indicates that the needle has entered a blood vessel. To do this, you need to change its direction and depth without removing the needle. If the injection does not work, you should replace the needle and inject in another place. If no blood enters during the reverse movement of the piston, then you can safely complete the injection.

You can learn how to give injections at special courses at medical colleges or institutes. Self-education can help you start treatment long before visiting a doctor, during a remote consultation. Also, this can help organize early discharge from hospitals, as there is no need for constant assistance from nursing staff. Self-prescription of drugs and determination of the injection zone without consulting a doctor is prohibited. Before administering the medicine, you can read the instructions again.