Question

Subcutaneous injection

Dr.Uday Gupte · Accepted Answer

A subcutaneous means something under the skin when there is medical attention given. Injection has a short needle which is used to transfer liquid drugs under the skin above the muscle. This type of medication given is usually used for medicine that should have slow absorption. This medication is given when some medicine does get destroyed by acid and enzymes in the stomach. When medicines are less effective they are preferred.

Intravenous injections are difficult and have some type of risk and are costly whereas subcutaneous injections are easy, safe and cheap to do for small amounts of drugs.

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Medications given by doctors using subcutaneous injection methods are for those drugs which have less volumes. Like 1ml or 2 ml some given like this are insulin and some other body hormone given from outside.

Sometimes there are emergencies to give drugs to muscles or skin. We use the method of subcutaneous injection for example epinephrine in injection form comes with a name called epipen. This is used to treat severe infection. It can also be given intramuscularly but subcutaneously is preferred.

Morphine or hydromorphone are given a subcutaneous injection, these are for pain.

Drugs like metoclopramide used for vomiting or nausea can also be given through subcutaneous injection.

Many vaccines such as for corona are given through subcutaneous injection.

Allergy shots given through both subcutaneous and intramuscular injection.

Preparing:

Location to inject is necessary to know. This injection is given under the skin in fatty tissue, there are some locations where it is accessible to fatty tissue. This type of location is needed so that needles should not touch muscles, bone or blood vessels.

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Locations:

Abdomen- below the belly button there is fatty skin where we can inject. ;

Arm: shoulder below hands have fatty tissue.

Thigh: thighs have a high number of fatty tissues.

Equipment used for subcutaneous injections includes:

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Medication: vials of liquid and liquid made from powered and sterile water are used for medications.

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Syringes: for this we should have short needles. And long or short in size. They should use sterile injection, there should be no contamination.

Auto-injector pen: some injections are like pens to inject single or multi doses. In this there is a needle for single use. It has a structure like a pen. For example, insulin is given like this. People can use themselves for giving this type of injection there is no need to go to a clinic.

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Procedure

1. First of all wash the hand properly with soap to avoid the infection at that area because there is a small opening due to injection.

Soap lathering should be for 20 sec according to cdc. Wash the hands by scrubbing between hands and back of hand.

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2. Gather the things needed while injecting the injection: needle and syringe or autoinjector pen, cotton dipped in alcohol and container to discharge used needles and syringe.

3. Before applying the injection we should inspect the area. See that area should not be damaged, infected, bruised. We should change the site of injection to avoid the damage to the area. We should clean the area before and after applying the injection.

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Preparing a syringe:

1) remove the cap from the medicine. For multidose please make note of its opening. Clean the stopper with alcohol after using the vial to keep for next time.

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2) draw air into the syringe to the vial you want. It is done to balance the air so that medicine can go into the syringe by the pressure of air inside the syringe. When it's done it is easy to draw the medication

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3) now insert the injection through rubber to take the medicine out of the vial. Apply the pressure to insert the air into it and then suck the medication out of vial.

4) now remove the air bubbles from inside but slowly.

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5) now apply the injection to the area and remove the injection. By folding the needle, discard it.

;Complications:

We should change the area of applying the injection. Like if you have done it by hand in the morning, in the evening you should do it in leg or below the navel button. We shouldnt inject the medication at same twice. There can be infection to that area whose symptoms are:

Severe pain

Redness

Swelling

Warmth or drainage.

Conclusion:

Subcutaneous injections are good for inserting small vials like vaccines. In corona it was used. Other injections require the attention of experts but this can be done by people. Procedure are the main things which should be understood by people. There are many infections which can also be caused. These infections can lead to fistulas in that area. Unused injection should be used otherwise there can be a chance of having hiv and many other diseases. For any type of irritation and infection or how to use the injection please refer to the doctor.

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