Administering an Subcutaneous Injection

Medical Equipments:

• Medication administration record (MAR)
• Sterile syringe and 5/8 inch needle
• Disposable gloves
• Two alcohol swabs
• Medication as prescribed

Nursing Procedures:

1. Identify patient's allergies to any known medication
2. Wash your hands
3. Follow the five rights of drug administrations
4. Prepare medication from an ampule or vial and place them on a clean surface in the patient's room
5. Check the patient's identification card or armband
6. Inform patient about the procedure
7. Place patient in a comfortable position and provide for privacy
8. Don non-sterile gloves
9. Assess and observe the skins for bruises, redness, hard tissue, or broken skin
10. Cleanse the site for injection with an alcohol swab from inside to outside
11. Prepare the injection by removing the needle guard and expressing any air bubbles from the syringes, and check the dosage in the syringes
12. With dominant hand, hold the syringe between thumb and forefinger
13. With non-dominant hand, pinch the subcutaneous tissue between the thumb and forefinger, or spread the tissue taut if the patient has substantial subcutaneous tissue
14. Insert the needle quickly at 45 or 90 degrees angle



15. Release the subcutaneous tissue and grasp the barrel of the syringe with non-dominant hand
16. With dominant dominant hand, aspirate by pulling back on the plunger gently, except when administering an anticoagulant injection
17. If blood appears, remove needle and discard in a sharps box container
18. Inject medication slowly if there is no blood present
19. Remove the needle quickly and lightly massage area with alcohol swab, do not massage the injection site after an anticoagulant injection
20. Do not recap needle, discard the needle in a sharps box container
21. Place patient in comfort position
22. Remove glove and wash hands
23. Record the route, site, and time of injection on the medication administration record
24. Observe any side or adverse effects and assess the effectiveness of the medication at the appropriate time