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Insulin Injection How To Aade
Insulin Injection How To Aade
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injections may have you feeling a so injections are usually
bit anxious. That’s OK! Just painless. There are a num-
about everyone feels that way. ber of options for adminis-
Just know that your anxiety will tering insulin:
vanish soon enough. Here are
some valuable facts and tips to SYRINGES
help make your transition to Disposable plastic insulin
insulin smooth and easy. syringes are still widely
used, but the popularity
WAYS TO GIVE INSULIN of pens and pumps (see
Because insulin is broken down next page) is growing.
by digestive enzymes, it cannot Syringes vary in terms of
be taken in pill form. Instead, it is how much insulin they hold as well
delivered with a syringe into the as the length and thickness of the
layer of fat below the skin, also needle. Syringes can be used to
called the “subcutaneous” tissue. deliver insulin directly into the layer
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The layer of fat on the stomach, of fat below the skin, or they can
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opyright © 2020 Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists. All rights reserved. Supported by an
Reproduction or republication strictly prohibited without prior written permission. educational grant from BD
insulin injection
know-how
learning how to
inject insulin
PUMPS
Insulin pumps are electronic
devices that are worn continuously
and deliver insulin into the fat layer
below the skin by way of a flexible
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plastic tube (similar to the “port”
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INS
relatively high. Insulin pumps are
PENS not typically used by those who are
Insulin pens got their name because new to insulin, but can be an effec-
they are about the size and shape tive option once you have a bit
of a writing pen. They contain more experience.
insulin (instead of ink) and have a
dial for setting the dose. A dispos-
able pen needle is attached
to the end of the pen prior
to injecting. As was the case
with syringes, pen needles
are available in a variety of
lengths and thicknesses.
Because they cut down on
medical waste and are
considered by most to be
more convenient, accurate
and easy to use than
syringes, insulin pens are
growing in popularity
among people of all ages.
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opyright © 2020 Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists. All rights reserved. Supported by an
Reproduction or republication strictly prohibited without prior written permission. educational grant from BD
insulin injection
know-how
learning how to
inject insulin
CHOOSING AN INJECTION The needles on syringes vary as
DEVICE well. Syringe and pen needles as
The decision to use syringes or short as 4mm and as long as 12.7mm
pens is a personal one. If you have are available. Thickness is measured
an opportunity to sample both at in gauge. The higher the gauge, the
your healthcare provider’s office, thinner the needle. Gauges as high
certainly do so. It is best to speak as 32 and as low as 28-gauge can
with your healthcare provider and be obtained. In general, it is best to
check with your diabetes care team use the shortest, thinnest (highest
to find out what is covered under gauge) needles available. Skin
your plan. thickness doesn’t vary much from
person to person. Even if you are
Most pens hold 300 units of insulin
considered overweight or obese, it
and allow delivery of up to 60 to 80
is unlikely that you will need a
units at a time. “Prefilled” dispos-
needle longer than 6mm. Needles
able pens deliver in single-unit
that are too long may produce
increments. “Durable” pens utilize
painful intra-muscular injections,
replaceable/ insulin cartridges, and
with insulin absorbing faster than it
may deliver insulin in 1/2 unit incre-
should.
ments. Pens can be used to deliver
a variety of long-acting and rapid-
acting insulin types, as well as
premixed insulin formulations.
Disposable syringes hold up to 100
units per injection. If you decide to
use syringes, select a type that
holds enough to cover your largest
dose with a little room to spare. The
markings on a syringe allow dosing
in 2-unit, 1-unit, or 1/2-unit incre-
ments. Once you have a size that
meets your needs, select a type
that allows you to dose as precisely
as possible.
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opyright © 2020 Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists. All rights reserved. Supported by an
Reproduction or republication strictly prohibited without prior written permission. educational grant from BD
insulin injection
know-how
learning how to
inject insulin
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opyright © 2020 Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists. All rights reserved. Supported by an
Reproduction or republication strictly prohibited without prior written permission. educational grant from BD
insulin injection
know-how
learning how to
inject insulin
WHEN COMBINING TWO TYPES
OF INSULIN (INTERMEDIATE
AND RAPID) IN THE SAME
SYRINGE:
Gather your insulin supplies: Inject air into the rapid-
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Get your insulin vial and a fresh acting insulin vial: Only inject
syringe. Check the insulin vial to an amount equal to the rapid-
make sure it is the right kind of acting insulin dose. Leave the
insulin and that there are no needle in the vial.
clumps or particles in it, and
Draw up the rapid-acting
that the expiration date has not
insulin: With the needle still in
passed.
the vial, turn the vial upside
Gently stir intermediate or down (vial above the syringe)
premixed insulin: Turn the vial and pull the plunger to fill the
on its side and roll it between syringe with the desired dose.
the palms of your hands. Clear
Check the syringe for air
(fast-acting, long-acting) insulin
bubbles: If you see any large
generally does not need to be
bubbles, push the plunger until
mixed.
the air is purged out of the
Prepare the insulin vials: If the syringe. Pull the plunger back
insulin vial is new, remove the down to the desired dose.
cap. It is not necessary to wipe
Remove the needle from the
the top of the bottle with
vial: Recheck your dose.
alcohol as long as it is clean.
Draw up the intermediate-
Inject air into the intermedi-
acting insulin: Insert the
ate insulin vial: Remove the
needle into the vial of cloudy
cap from the needle. With the
insulin. Turn the vial upside
vial of insulin below the syringe,
down (vial above syringe) and
inject an amount of air equal to
pull the plunger to draw the
the dose of intermediate insulin
dose of intermediate-acting
that you will be taking. Do not
draw out the insulin into the
syringe yet. Remove the needle
from the vial.
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opyright © 2020 Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists. All rights reserved. Supported by an
Reproduction or republication strictly prohibited without prior written permission. educational grant from BD
insulin injection
know-how
learning how to
inject insulin
INSULIN INJECTION KNOW-HOW
insulin. Because the short- Attach a fresh pen needle:
acting insulin is already in the Screw or click the needle
syringe, pull the plunger to the securely in place according to
total number of units you need. the manufacturer’s instructions.
Do not inject any of the insulin Remove the cap(s) from the pen
back into the vial, since the needle to expose the needle.
syringe now contains a mixture Prime the pen:Pointing the
of intermediate and rapid- needle up in the air, dial one
acting insulin. or two units on the pen and
Remove the needle from the press the plunger fully with
vial: Be careful to not let the your thumb. Repeat until a
needle touch anything until you drop appears.
are ready to inject! Dial your dose: Turn
the dial
PREPARING A PEN FOR on the pen to your prescribed
INJECTION: dose.
Check the pen: Ensure that it
contains the proper type of
insulin and contains enough to
cover your full dose. Also check
to make sure that the expiration
date has not passed.
Gently stir intermediate or
premixed insulin: Turn the
pen on its side and roll it
between the palms of your
hands. Clear (fast-acting,
long-acting) insulin generally
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opyright © 2020 Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists. All rights reserved. Supported by an
Reproduction or republication strictly prohibited without prior written permission. educational grant from BD
insulin injection
know-how
learning how to
inject insulin
Correct (left) and incorrect (right) ways of performing the skin fold.
ABDOMEN
DELIVERING AN INJECTION:
THIGHS fully injected. If using a syringe,
Select a site:Choose a spot on keep the needle in the skin
BUTTOCKS
your skin that you can see and for 5 seconds. If using a pen,
reach. It is important to not
ARMS keep the needle in the skin
“overuse” any particular area of for 10 seconds.
skin. See the information below Pull out the needle:
Remove at
on “rotating” injection sites. the same 90-degree angle at
Make sure skin is clean: It is which you inserted the needle.
generally not necessary to wipe Press your injection site with
the skin with alcohol before your finger for 5-10 seconds to
injecting. Those at a high risk of keep insulin from leaking out.
infection should discuss site- Remove the needle: If using a
preparation procedures with pen, remove the needle from
their healthcare team. the pen by replacing the large
Pinch the skin: For those with cover and unscrewing. Leaving
The correct angle of injection
when lifting a skin fold is 90° limited body fat, it may be the needle on the pen can
necessary to pinch a one-to- result in leakage or air bubbles.
two-inch portion
1 2 3 of 4 skin
5 and fat Dispose of your used needle:
5 4 3 2 1
It
between your thumb and first
6 7 8 9 10 6 7 8 9 10
is important to protect yourself,
finger. 11 12 13 14 15 15 14 13 12 11
your loved ones, sanitation
Push the needle into the skin: workers and pets from acciden-
With your other hand, hold the tal needle sticks. Do not recap
syringe or pen like a pencil at a syringes before throwing them
90-degree angle to the skin and away. Place used syringes and
insert the needle with one quick pen needles in a thick plastic
motion. Make sure the needle is container (sharps container,
all the way in. detergent bottle, etc.). When
nearly full, close the container
Inject the insulin: Let go of the
tightly with a screw-on cap and
skin pinch before you inject the
tape closed. Dispose according
insulin. Push the plunger with
to standards set forth by your
your thumb at a moderate,
local department of sanitation.
steady pace until the insulin is
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opyright © 2020 Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists. All rights reserved. Supported by an
Reproduction or republication strictly prohibited without prior written permission. educational grant from BD
insulin injection ABDOMEN
know-how THIGHS
learning how to
inject insulin ABDOMEN
BUTTOCKS
ARMS
THIGHS
BUTTOCKS
ARMS
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opyright © 2020 Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists. All rights reserved. Supported by an
Reproduction or republication strictly prohibited without prior written permission. educational grant from BD