Giving Injections for Type 1 Diabetes

Giving an injection with a syringe

Syringes

1. Draw up insulin.
2. Take a pinch of skin at the chosen site with the index finger and thumb. The pinch needs to be at least to the depth of the needle.
3. Insert the needle straight into the pinched-up skin (ie. At 90 degrees) to its full depth and push the syringe plunger slowly all the way down to push in the insulin. In very lean individuals, injecting at a 45 degree angle to the skin may be necessary to avoid the injection going too deep.
4. Let go of the skin and leave the needle in for 5 to 10 seconds, then gradually pull out the needle.

Giving an injection with a pen

NovoPen3

1. Wash hands.
2. Check that you have the correct insulin pen (have your long-acting and short-acting pens clearly marked) and that there is enough insulin remaining in the cartridge for the current injection. It is preferable to use a new needle for each injection.
3. If giving long-acting insulin that is a “cloudy” type (eg. Protaphane® or Humulin NPH®) be sure to mix the insulin well by inverting the pen 10 to 20 times. The cartridge contains a glass ball, which mixes the insulin. Do not shake the pen as this will damage the insulin.
4. Prime the pen (get rid of any air bubbles). Dial up a 2 to 4 unit dose and, holding the pen vertically, inject into the air to expel air bubbles (air shot) and to prime the pen. The pen is primed if drops of insulin without bubbles are coming from the needle. If not, repeat this procedure.
5. Dial up the required dose.
6. Select the injection site.
7. Take a pinch of skin with the index finger and thumb at the chosen site. The pinch needs to be at least to the depth of the needle.
8. Insert the needle straight into the pinched-up skin (ie. at 90 degrees) to its full depth and push the pen button slowly all the way down to push in the insulin. In very lean individuals, injecting at a 45 degree angle to the skin may be necessary to avoid the injection going too deep.
9. Let go of the skin and leave the needle in for 5 to 10 seconds, then gradually pull out the needle.
10. Remove the needle from the pen after injection.

Source: http://www.diabeteskidsandteens.com.au/living_with_diabetes_3.html

Injection Sites – Type 1 Diabetes

Your educator will demonstrate the best way to give insulin injections. The preferred place to give insulin is in the tummy because insulin is absorbed more evenly and the tummy is less affected by exercise than other sites. You can also give insulin into the upper thigh to obtain a slow absorption rate if given at night. It’s important not to give insulin into an area that is going to be exercising a lot eg the arm if your child is going to play tennis or the leg if your child is going to play football, as the insulin will be absorbed quicker. Insulin absorption is quickest from the tummy then arms, buttocks and thighs. Discuss with your educator what is best for your child. The following illustrates the best places to give insulin.

It’s important not to inject into the same spot all the time – it’s easy to do, as it doesn’t hurt so much! However, your child will then have unsightly fatty lumps (lipohypertrophy) if they do this, and insulin absorption will be reduced. It’s best to encourage your child to rotate their injection sites.

Insulin injections should be given into the fatty layer under the skin not into muscle, as this tends to speed up the insulin absorption. You should take a pinch of skin and give the injection at a 90 degree angle, as shown below. A short (8mm) needle is best, particularly for children with little fat. There are 5mm and 6mm pen needles also available for particularly lean children.

Source: http://www.diabeteskidsandteens.com.au/living_with_diabetes_3.html