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It is important to know how to draw and inject your insulin properly. By learning to use the proper technique you can give yourself injections quickly, accurately and with a minimum of discomfort and inconvience. It is easy if you follow these steps.
before giving yourself any insulin injections, you must assemble all the supplies necessary: your bottle of insulin, alcohol swabs, and the insulin syringe.
Note: Always inspect the insulin bottle before using it. Make sure the expiration date had not passed and that the top of the bottle is not damaged.
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Thoroughly wash your hands. |
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If you are using NPH, or any other cloudy, long-lasting insulins, mix the insulin by slowly rolling the bottle between your hands. Never shake the bottle. |
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Clean the rubber stopper on the insulin bottle with an alcohol swab |
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Draw air into the syringe by pulling out one the plunger to the approximate dose. |
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With the bottle standing upright, insert the needle into the rubber stopper on the bottle and push the plunger down. This pushes air into the bottle, which makes it easier for you to draw the insulin out of the bottle. |
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Turn the bottle and syringe upside down. Slowly pull the plunger down about five units past your dose. If there no bubbles, push the top of the plunger tip up to the line which marks your exact dose. If there are air bubbles, tap the syringe untill they float to the top, then eliminate them out as you push the plunger tip to your exact dose. |
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Choose an injection site where there is subcutaneous tissue. This type of tissue is located between the fat layer just under the skin and the muscle layer below. Body areas where subcutaneous tissue is found include; the upper areas of the arm, the thighs, the buttocks, and the abdomen. |
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Clean the injection site with an alcohol swab. Move the swab in a circular motion. Start from the center and move outward. Allow the alcohol to dry for a few seconds. |
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Carefully pick up the syringe without allowing the needle to touch anything. Or, if you have replaced the needle sheild to protect the needle, remove it. Gently pinch up a two inch fold of skin. With one quick motion, inject the needle into the skin. The usual injection angle is between 45 and 90 degrees. |
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Release the fold of skin. Use one hand to hold the barrel of the syringe steady, and with the other hand push on the plunger to inject the insulin. The injection of the insulin should be conmpleted in 3 to 5 seconds. |
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When finished with the injection, hold an alcohol swab at the injection site. Pull the needle straight out of the skin and gently wipe the site with the alcohol swab. Do not massage the area. |
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