just a bit more insulin than you need for your dose.
Check the syringe for air bubbles by holding it straight up and tapping it gently. The bubbles should rise up toward the insulin bottle. (That’s why you need to turn the bottle upside down). Push the plunger enough to flush out the bubbles, and you should now have the right amount of insulin in the syringe. Double-check to make sure you have the correct dosage. Take the needle out of the bottle.
Making the injection
First, choose a site for the injection. The belly, the back of the upper arms, the upper buttocks, and the outer thighs are all good options. However, avoid the 2-inch radius around the belly button, which doesn’t absorb as well. Ask your doctor and your relative if they have any preferences. Also ask your doctor for advice on rotating injection sites, which can help to prevent hard lumps or thickened skin where insulin is injected.
When you’ve chosen a site, clean it with alcohol. Allow it to dry thoroughly.
Pinch about an inch of skin. This will ensure that you don’t inject into a muscle. Hold the needle at a 90-degree angle to the skin, and push it in completely. If the person is so thin that you can’t get a full inch of skin, you may have to insert the needle at a 45-degree angle. The goal is to keep the needle in the skin, not the muscle.
Once the needle is in place, slowly push on the plunger to inject the insulin. After the plunger is completely depressed, hold the needle in place for five seconds before pulling it out. This ensures complete delivery of the insulin. Press the injection site gently for a few seconds to prevent the insulin from leaking. If you’re giving shots to a child, ask him or her whether injecting the insulin slower or faster is more comfortable.
Dispose of the needle and syringe in an opaque, heavy-duty plastic box with a tight lid. (Your doctor or hospital may be able to supply you with a “sharps container” for used needles and syringes. You may also be able to purchase one at your pharmacy.) When the box is full, call your local waste company for instructions on disposing of medical waste such as used syringes, as your area may have specific regulations.
All of this can be a lot to remember, so going over injection techniques and the different injection systems with a diabetes educator can be very useful for anyone responsible for insulin shots.