How to Give Insulin Injections

Individuals with diabetes receive insulin injections multiple times a day. Some insulin is for maintaining proper insulin levels in the body and other insulin medications deliver immediate insulin to the system. Either way, administering the medication is the same. A small syringe and a needle deliver the insulin injections under the skin, in a fatty layer of tissue. A physician prescribes the dosage of insulin. Before beginning an insulin injection, double check the dosage amount and type of insulin the doctor prescribed.

Difficulty:

 

Moderately Easy

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Insulin
• Alcohol wipes
• Insulin syringe

1. • 1
     Wash your hands.
   • 2
     Gather insulin, alcohol prep wipes and an insulin syringe. Insulin syringes calculate the units of insulin.
   • 3
     Find a location for the injection. Injection sites for insulin injections include areas of the body with a fatty layer under the skin. Candidates for the injection site include the backs of the arms, stomach, thighs and buttocks. Avoid injecting the medication in an area with a scar or too close to the belly button. These sites interfere with the absorption of the insulin.
   • 4
     Swirl the bottle of insulin to mix the solution gently. Do not shake the bottle or cause bubbles to form.
   • 5
     Use an alcohol swipe to wipe off the top of the insulin bottle. Allow it to air dry.
   • 6
     Expose skin at the injection site and wipe with another alcohol wipe. Allow to dry.
   • 7
     Remove the cap on the syringe and bring the plunger on the insulin syringe to the desired unit marking. This allows the syringe to fill with air at the desired medication amount.
   • 8
     Inject the needle into the bottle of insulin. While holding the plunger in the bottle, invert the insulin bottle so all the medication is closest to the needle.
   • 9
     Pull back on the plunger on the syringe to allow the insulin to enter. Double check the unit amount is correct. Ensure there is no air in the syringe. If there is an air bubble in the syringe, gently tap it with a finger to release the bubble. Slowly push the air out of the syringe.
   • 10
     Pinch a small area of fatty tissue at the injection site.
   • 11
     Hold the syringe like a dart and pop the needle into the site, between the finger and thumb.
   • 12
     Draw back on the plunger of the syringe to be sure the needle is not in a vein. If a vein is punctured, blood appears in the syringe.
   • 13
     Press the plunger on the syringe to inject all of the insulin into the body.
   • 14
     Remove the needle from the body and throw the syringe into a sharps container.

Read more: How to Give Insulin Injections | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_6649089_give-insulin-injections.html#ixzz1Lof6yk2A