Skin & Sun Safety
Management
Preparing and Injecting Single Dose Insulin
Preparing and Injecting Single Dose InsulinIf you have diabetes you may need to take your insulin by injection. Before you prepare to inject your singledose of insulin, let’s look more closely at the syringe.Insulin syringes are easier to use than ever before. Their needles are small and sharp to help reduce thediscomfort of injection.Let’s go over, step by step, how to prepare to inject a single dose of one type of insulin or a pre-mixed insulin,using a needle and syringe.First, gather all of your supplies on a clean surface. This includes the syringe, alcohol swabs, a Sharpscontainer or heavy plastic bottle to put your used syringe in when you are done, and your insulin.Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water and dry them on a clean towel.Clean the top of the insulin bottle with alcohol.If your insulin is cloudy, mix it thoroughly before use.To mix it, roll the bottle in your hands or rotate it from top to bottom. Be careful not to shake it.Turn it over and make sure there is no powder left on the bottom.If your insulin is clear, you do not have to mix it.Now, pull the plunger in the syringe back to the number of units of insulin you’ll need.Inject that air into the insulin bottle.While the needle is still in the bottle, turn the bottle upside down. Make sure the needle is covered by insulin.This prevents an air bubble from getting into the syringe. An air bubble is not dangerous, but it takes up spaceand can cause you to measure the wrong dose.Pull the plunger back to the correct number of insulin units.If you see an air bubble, push the insulin back into the bottle and fill the syringe again.Put the syringe down. Make sure the needle doesn’t touch anything. If the needle on your syringe is bent youmust discard it and start again. Now you’re ready to inject.Insulin should be injected into fatty tissue. The recommended injection areas are: the abdomen or belly, thebacks of the arms, the tops or sides of the thigh, and the buttocks or rear.Work with your diabetes care team to find the injection area that is best for you.This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.PRG10162B EN PreparingAndInjectingSingleDoseInsulin.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPage 1 of 2Preparing and Injecting Single Dose InsulinTry to use the same area at the same time every day, but make sure you change the actual injection site eachtime you inject. This helps keep your skin and underlying tissues healthy.When injecting into your abdomen, make sure to stay 2 inches away from any scar tissue or your belly button.Once you have selected an injection site, wipe the skin with alcohol and wait a few seconds for it to dry.Pick up the syringe and inject at a 90-degree angle.Press the syringe plunger firmly and smoothly.Then pull the needle straight out.After taking the injection, drop the syringe into a Sharps container, which you can get at your diabetes productsupplier. If you don’t have a Sharps container, a heavy plastic bottle with a tight fitting lid clearly labeled that itcontains medical waste will work too.In some areas, you are asked not to put filled sharps containers in your regular trash for collection. Yourdiabetes care team can tell you if your community has a specific place to take your sharps container when it isfull.At your next diabetes care team visit, go over how you prepare and inject your insulin.Your care team may have tips that can make injecting insulin easier.This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.PRG10162B EN PreparingAndInjectingSingleDoseInsulin.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPage 2 of 2
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