Rules for giving insulin are detailed
Rules for Giving Insulin are Detailed
Many people with diabetes need to take insulin to keep their blood sugar under control. But due to not knowing the correct method, many people take the wrong dose of insulin in the wrong place of the body. Therefore, on the one hand, it is not possible to control the blood sugar properly, on the other hand, various complications may occur due to the hardening of the skin.
 |
| Rules for giving insulin |
This article explains how to take insulin with insulin syringes and insulin pens. By following these instructions, the patient can easily and correctly take insulin by himself.
Everything you need to give an injection
- Insulin: There are different types of insulin. This is discussed in detail in the next part of the article.
- Insulin Syringe or Insulin Pen: Syringes or pens — either can be used to inject insulin.
- Insulin Syringes: These special syringes come in different sizes. Depending on the type of insulin, a specific size syringe should be used. The injection should be done by taking the insulin in the syringe according to the prescription.
- Insulin Pen: It can be of two types. There is a type of insulin pen that is pre-filled with insulin. When the insulin in the pen is used up, the pen must be thrown away. There is another type of insulin pen that can be used repeatedly by changing vials or cartridges. Needles have to be used separately with these pens. Needles can only be used once. These needles only need to pierce the skin—no muscle or vein. So they are quite small and narrow.
Rules for administering insulin with an insulin syringe
In eight easy steps, you can take insulin at home with the help of an insulin syringe. The steps are given below-
Step 1: Wash and dry hands thoroughly.
Step 2: Decide where to give the injection. Fatty areas of the body are best suited for insulin injections. For example: lower abdomen (below the navel), thighs or buttocks.
The injection should be done in a different place each time. The next injection should be at least 1 cm or half an inch away from where the insulin was taken. Repeated injections into the same area can cause the area to harden and swell—which will then prevent insulin from being absorbed and working properly.
Step 3: Choose the right insulin as advised by the doctor. Check the expiration date on the insulin bottle.
It is not usually necessary to shake the bottle or vial before using insulin. However, before using cloudy insulin, the vial should be placed between the palms of both hands and gently rotated until the insulin is completely mixed. In this case, read the instructions on the insulin packet carefully.
Step 4: Unpack the insulin syringe and remove the top cap. Hold the syringe upright. Now pull the plunger or rod of the syringe and enter as many units of insulin as prescribed by the doctor (cc or ml) into the syringe.
Important
Depending on the type of insulin, a specific size syringe should be used. Otherwise, taking the wrong dose of insulin can cause serious harm. So care should be taken to use the correct syringe according to the unit while taking insulin. Find out more about this from the doctor.
Step 5: Hold the insulin vial upright and insert the syringe needle fully into the bottle. Then squeeze the plunger or rod of the syringe and inject the air inside the syringe into the vial. By doing this, it will be convenient to take insulin in the syringe.
Now hold the vial upside down and draw slightly more than the prescribed unit of insulin into the syringe. Make sure there is insulin in the vial and no air around the needle head.
Step 6: Then hold the syringe in such a way that the needle is above and the plunger is below. Give the syringe a few gentle taps to expel any air inside.
Now slowly push the plunger on the bottom of the syringe until insulin is visible on the needle head. This process is called 'priming'. If there is any air inside the needle and syringe, it can be removed by this method. As a result, dose control becomes easier. Thus ensuring that the syringe contains only the prescribed dose of insulin.
Step 7: Make sure the injection site is clean and dry. Before injecting, the skin can be gently lifted with tweezers. Now insert the needle completely into the body at a right angle or vertically (90 degree angle). Press and hold the plunger until the entire syringe is empty.
Step 8: Count from one to ten so that the insulin has enough time to enter the body before removing the needle. Remove by pinching the skin. Now take out the needle. Finally throw away the syringe with the needle in a safe place.
Rules for administering insulin with an insulin pen
Insulin pen takes insulin in seven easy steps. The steps are given below-
Step 1: Wash and dry hands thoroughly.
Step 2: Decide where to give the injection. Fatty areas of the body are best suited for insulin injections. For example: lower abdomen (below the navel), thighs or buttocks.
The injection should be done in a different place each time. The next injection should be at least 1 cm or half an inch away from where the insulin was taken. Repeated injections into the same area can cause the area to harden and swell—which will then prevent insulin from being absorbed and working properly.
Step 3: Open the outer and inner caps of the insulin pen and attach the needle. Turn the dial to bring it to two units. Then hold the pen straight.
Slowly push the plunger on the back of the pen until insulin is visible on the needle head. This process is called 'priming'. Any air in the needle and insulin vial or cartridge can be expelled in this way, making dose control easier.
Step 4: Now turn the dial and select the specific dose as per the doctor's prescription. Make sure the injection site is clean and dry.
Step 5: Insert the needle into the body at a right angle or vertically (90 degree angle). Before injecting, the skin can be gently lifted with tweezers. Press and hold the plunger until the dial returns to zero (0).
Step 6: Count from 1 to 10 so that the insulin has enough time to enter the body before removing the needle. Remove by pinching the skin.
Step 7: Remove the needle and dispose of it in a safe place.
Wrote Dr. Ima Islam
Medical review done by Dr. Umme Fatima Fareen
