how to give insulin injection?

Perpetual Student · Mar 18, 2012

Perhaps she's just being difficult. Do other patients complain about your technique?

Tenny84, LVN · Mar 18, 2012

nope, other patiens are not complaining but i noticed sometimes when i gave insulin shots, blood is coming from their arms. Why is that? Am I giving on their muscle?? Can you tell me how can i feel the difference between muscle and fat on their arms? thank u for ur reply!

Perpetual Student · Mar 18, 2012

nope, other patiens are not complaining but i noticed sometimes when i gave insulin shots, blood is coming from their arms. Why is that? Am I giving on their muscle?? Can you tell me how can i feel the difference between muscle and fat on their arms? thank u for ur reply!

It's not horribly uncommon for there to be a drop or two of blood following an injection, be it IM or SQ. Think about how even if you just prick someone in the finger or on the arm with a lancet they produce a drop of blood.

Estimate how much fat is there, pinch an adequate amount if necessary and angle your needle appropriately. Visualize how deep the tip of the needle will be. Use a brisk, fluid motion with enough force to get the job done, but not so much that you're beating the patient. Act relaxed and confident even if you aren't. Distract the patient by chatting before and as you inject.

Tenny84, LVN · Mar 18, 2012

state is coming soon. what if she will complain to state? what am i goona answer? do u know how to feel difference between muscle and fat?

Perpetual Student · Mar 18, 2012

state is coming soon. what if she will complain to state? what am i goona answer? do u know how to feel difference between muscle and fat?

Just say you always use proper technique and have attempted different locations and so on to minimize her discomfort.

Muscle is typically firmer and less floppy than fat.

ShantheRN, BSN, RN · Mar 18, 2012

As a long time insulin dependent diabetic, I have to say sometimes technique has nothing to do with it. Injections are uncomfortable. It happens. Especially after years of insulin therapy, you get areas that are painful for injections no matter how you give them. Personally I prefer giving them to myself because I can give it as fast or slow as I need for comfort. Perhaps some teaching about giving injections, if she's able? Sometimes it helps to have that control. If she's giving them herself she might not perceive it as painful.

Or.....she might just hate the shots and will complain no matter what. You can't control that unfortunately. Oh, and unless you're dipping the needles in alcohol before stabbing your patient, state shouldn't be concerned about this :)

whichone'spink, BSN, RN · Mar 18, 2012

She just seems like a difficult patient. As long as you follow what you been taught during nursing school, I think you'll be okay. At some point, you'll have to tell her nicely that you're doing it the right way and that injections are just painful no matter what you do. Maybe the wimp will understand at that point.

Twinmom06, ASN, APN · Mar 18, 2012

they do make shorter, finer needles - if its that uncomfortable for her perhaps her doctor should prescribe her a button which stays under her skin for a few days or a pump...

mindlor · Mar 18, 2012

If you are pinching up an adequate amount of adipose tissue and she is still complaining, it would say the trbl is on her end and not yours....

I think there was another recent thread regarding injection sire rotation....that is also key and staying at least 2 inches away from the umbilicus.

I am sure you are doing these things....it sounds to me like you are doing everything correctly....

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Mar 18, 2012

state is coming soon. what if she will complain to state? what am i goona answer? do u know how to feel difference between muscle and fat?

Why would the state be concerned with a patient who says, "it hurts when they give me my insulin shot"?

If you're using an insulin syringe, it shouldn't be long enough to reach a muscle... especially in someone with a lot of adipose tissue and you should angle your injection to remain in the subcutaneous tissue. Plus, when you give a SubQ in the arm, you need to pinch the skin at the back of the arm... nowhere near the deltoid.

mazy · Mar 18, 2012

Sometimes people are just difficult about it. Could be she is a new diabetic so not used to shots? Or she is just difficult like that and nothing to be done.

Make sure your alcohol has completely dried, because if you hit a patch of wet alcohol the injection can burn.