- To properly give an injection it is necessary to have the ready-to-use medicine (usually in a vial), a syringe, a sterile needle, cotton balls, rubbing alcohol, a puncture proof disposable container and an adhesive bandage, according to Johns Hopkins. Wash your hands thoroughly with an antimicrobial soap.
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Attach the needle to the syringe and remove the cap. Puncture the top of the medicine vial carefully and pull back on the plunger to fill the syringe to the proper dosage.
Remove the needle from the vial and pull back the plunger just a bit further. Point the needle straight into the air and flick the side of the syringe with your finger to make any air bubbles rise to the top. Press slightly on the syringe to force out any existing air. Some medicine will squirt from the needle. -
Subcutaneous injections must enter the fatty tissue between the skin and muscle. Common fatty areas include the upper arm, the top of the thigh, the buttocks or the abdomen. Abdominal shots should not be given in the navel or waistline, according to Johns Hopkins.
After wiping the area with alcohol, pinch a 2-inch fold of skin between the thumb and forefinger. Holding the syringe like a pencil, insert the needle at a 45 degree angle. Release the skin, keeping the needle at the same angle, and pull back slightly on the plunger to make sure no blood appears in the syringe. If there is no blood, push the plunger in slowly to inject all of the medicine and withdraw the needle slowly. If blood is visible, remove the needle without injecting the medicine and start over.
When the medicine has been injected, hold a cotton ball dipped in alcohol against the injection site and place an adhesive bandage over it hold it in place. Place the used syringe and needle into the disposable container. -
Intramuscular injections are for medicines that must be put into the actual muscle tissue. The procedures are very similar to subcutaneous injection with a few exceptions.
According to Drugs.com, an intramuscular injection should be given either in the thigh, hip, upper arm or buttocks. Wipe the skin with alcohol and depress the skin with your hand to flatten it. Insert the needle at a 90-degree angle (straight in) and then release the skin. The needle will tend to jerk to one side when you release the skin, but keep it straight. Pull back on the plunger slightly to check for blood. If there is no blood visible, press the plunger in to administer the medicine, remove the needle gently and cover with an alcohol-dipped cotton ball and adhesive bandage. If blood was visible, you must start over.
