Question

You are reinforcing teaching about administering insulin injections. What should they know about giving injection? How will you know if the patient understands how to administer the injection?

Answer 1

●The following things should be told to patient who are advised to use insulin injection -

1. No. of units to be injected

2. Pinch up technique- how to pinch the skin before giving injection

3. Types of syringes

4. Handwashing technique before insulin administration

5. Mixing , drawing and injecting insulin .The correct recommended technique of insulin injection.

6. For a reusable pen - preparing and injecting

7. For a disposable pen - preparing and injecting

8. Site selection and rotation (sites - abdomen , thigh ,arm ) and (90° angle )

9. Proper use and disposal

Step of insulin injection with a pen -

1.Wrap your fingers around the insulin pen, keeping your thumb free to push down on the knob.

2.Insert the needle of the pen quickly into the skin at a 90° angle.

3.Slowly push the knob of the pen to inject insulin and hold it at the site for few seconds and pull the needle out.

4.Carefully place the outer cap on the needle, unscrew the needle and dispose it carefully.

5.Replace the pen cap and store it at room temperature.

●To ensure the patient understood the the correct insulin administration technique ask him to repeat the procedure again and demonstrate how to do it.