Things You'll Need:
- Needle
- Medicine
- Alcohol wipe
- Gauze pad
- Medical trash container
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Step 1
Determine the site of the injection. The arm has a thinner layer of skin compared to the buttocks or thigh, so consider the length of needle.
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Step 2
Understand the kind of medicine being administered. This will help to guide the pressure of the syringe plunger and the amount and rate to be pushed into the tissue.
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Step 3
Measure the amount of medicine to be given. It is imperative that the correct amount of medicine is understood. This is typically measured in milliliters.
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Step 4
Find out how the medicine is packaged. Ampules are small glass vials that you must break open. Vials commonly have a rubber stopper that the needle is pushed through into the sterile environment for removal.
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Step 5
Clean the area of the subcutaneous injection with a small alcohol swab to prevent any infections through the skin as the needle passes through.
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Step 6
Push the needle gently and slowly into the skin at a 45-degree angle. This method produces less pain than shot given at a 90-degree angle. Pinch the skin into a fold before inserting the needle.
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Step 7
Remove the needle once the medicine has been administered. Wipe the injection site with a gauze pad and ensure bleeding has stopped. Place a cap on the needle and dispose in a medically approved container.
