How to Self-Medicate Using a Subcutaneous Injection

From M. D. Anderson Patient Education Office
Date: June 28, 2007 Duration: 03:21

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Nita Pyle Narrates:
Hello, I am here to teach you how to give a subcutaneous injection.
We are going to demonstration how to draw up the medication and how to give the injection.

Julie I know that your doctor has told you that you are going home on a medication
that has to be given by subcutaneous injection
and I want us to go through the steps of drawing up the medication and giving the injection
and I'll coach you through the procedure as we come to each step.

Medication vile,
alcohol swab,
syringe and needle.
Pre-filled syringe if are using one.

The first step is to wash your hands.
You need to wet your hands and apply liquid soap and then lather by using friction on all surfaces of your hand.
That means the backs as wells as the palms and between the fingers.
And you need to do this for at least 30 seconds which is about 2 verses of happy birthday.
Rinse well and dry your hands and then try to turn the faucet off with a towel.

Remove the cap from the medication vile.

Open the sterile package with the needle and syringe.

Open the alcohol swab and lay it gently on the table.

Pick up the syringe and remove the cap. Lay it aside.

Now with the plunger withdraw air into the syringe.

Insert the needle in to the vile of medication.

Push the plunger into the vile and withdraw medication to the level that you are going to give...
to the amount of medication you are going to give yourself.

Withdraw the needle straight from the vile.

Cleanse the area of skin with an alcohol swab where you are going to give the injection.

Gently pinch up the skin, insert the needle,
push the plunger slowly with your thumb until the syringe is empty then pull the needle straight out.

Immediately apply gentle pressure with an alcohol swab or dry piece of gauge.

[ Laughter ]

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