How to Fill a Medical Syringe

Medication can be given a number of ways, including by injection through a syringe. A medical syringe is also needed to place medication into an intravenous line or withdraw fluid from the body. Although glass syringes were popular in the past, most syringes used today are made of plastic. Medical syringes may vary in appearance depending on the manufacturer. Understanding how to fill a medical syringe is essential in order to deliver the intended dose of medication.

Instructions

1. Check the dosage of medication to be given. Select the right size syringe. There are many sizes of medical syringes. In the United States they are usually marked in milliliters. The most common medical syringes include a range in sizes from 1 ml to 10 ml. Select a syringe large enough to draw up all the medication at one time. If the syringe does not have a needle attached already, place a needle on the syringe. Wash your hands before handling the needle, syringe and medication.

2. Take the metal top off the medication. Underneath the metal is a thin rubber cap. Leave the rubber cap in place. If the medication has been opened previously and the metal top is already off, wipe the rubber top with an alcohol swab to remove any contaminates.

3. Push the plunger of the syringe all the way into the syringe. All medical syringes have a plunger inside the syringe. This helps pull the medication out and into the syringe. Take the protective cap off the needle and insert the needle into the rubber cap of the bottle. Turn the bottle upside down. The rubber covering should be pointing toward the floor.

4. Pull back on the plunger slowly to allow the medication to flow into the syringe. Make sure that the needle is immersed in the liquid medication throughout this process. As medication flows into the syringe watch for air bubbles. If you notice a bubble, stop pulling back on the plunger and tap the syringe lightly at the spot where you see the air bubble. This should help break the bubble up. Once the air is out, continue to pull back until the correct amount of medication is in the syringe by looking at the hash marks on the syringe. For example, if the dosage calls for 5 ml, the fluid in the syringe should be level with the mark for 5 ml.

5. Remove the needle from the bottle of medication and put the protective cap back on the needle. This will help prevent your accidentally pricking yourself with the needle and keeps the needle from getting contaminated. Different types of medical syringes have different protective caps.

Tips & Warnings

• Always dispose of needles in a medical sharps container that is specially designated for needles.

References

• Nursing Crib