Speaker 1: Needles are never fun
but giving a needle might be
added to the list of tasks
you'll need to do as a
caregiver.
Giving someone a needle can be
intimidating.
Worrying about hurting them
feeling insecure about your
skills
or feeling unsure of what to do
is common.
A fear of needles isn't unusual
and if you feel that you really
can't do this
be sure to talk to their health
care professional
and let them know.
In this video
we'll review how to give a
specific type of needle
that will go into their fatty
tissue only.
These needles are called
subcutaneous
and are usually used to give
medications
like insulin
blood thinners
and pain medication.
We'll also give you some tips
that will help you feel more
confident
so you can feel good about
providing
the medication
the person you're caring for
needs.
Let's try it.
Start by gathering what will
need to give the needle.
A syringe and needle.
Sometimes they're packaged
together
sometimes you have to assemble
them.
The medication that you need to
give
is usually in a vial.
Or sometimes the needle will
come pre filled
with the medication.
That kind makes the process a
lot easier.
You'll also need a couple of
alcohol swabs
and some gloves for you to wear.
Finally
you'll need a special box
To throw out the used needles.
Don't throw them in the garbage.
These special boxes
are called Sharps Containers
designed to hold used needles.
Your garbage collector will
thank you.
You can pick up a Sharps
Container for free at your
pharmacy
and when it's full
or you don't need it anymore
you can take it back to the
pharmacy
and they'll dispose of it
properly for you.
Unless the medication comes in a
pre filled syringe
you'll have to drop the
medication first.
Start by washing your hands.
If you need to attach the needle
to the syringe
they usually screw on like this.
Open the vial of medication
and clean off the top
with an alcohol swap.
Scrub it well
and let it dry for 30 seconds.
You have to add pressure to the
vial
so that you can get the
medication out.
You can do this by injecting air
into the vial.
Pull the plunger back
until it's at the same line
as the amount of medication you
need to give.
Now you can uncapped the needle
and put it into the vial through
the port in the top.
Leave the vial upright for now.
Make sure the needle isn't in
the fluid.
This is so air doesn't put
bubbles in the medication
that will make it harder to draw
up.
push the plunger down
and inject the air into the
vial.
Now you can turn the veil over
with the needle still in it.
Make sure that the needle is in
the liquid
and carefully pull the plunger
back
until it's filled to the level
you need.
If you have any air bubbles in
there
tap the side of the syringe
until they are near the open end
and push the plunger a little
to get them out.
At this point
you can carefully
put the cap back on the needle
by picking up the cap
with the edge of the needle like
this.
Be sure not to touch the needle
and never recap a needle
after it's been used to inject
someone.
Now that you've prepared the
needle
or if the needle comes pre
filled
we're ready to give it to the
person you're caring for.
For these types of injections
the easiest spot to use is their
belly
you just need to be one
to two inches away
from their bellybutton.
You can also use
the back of their arm
or the front of their thigh.
Work with the person you're
caring for it to choose a spot
and make sure you choose a
slightly different spot each
time.
At least one to two inches
From the last spot you gave it.
To give them the needle
start by washing your hands and
putting on gloves.
Now you can wipe down the area
where you'll be giving the
needle
with an alcohol swab
using a circular motion.
Let it dry
for about 30 seconds.
Take the cap off of the needle
and carefully look at the end.
The needle will have a slanted
edge called a bevel.
Hold the syringe like a pencil
with your dominant hand
with the bevel edged down
to the pointed edge
will go in first.
With your other hand
pinch an inch or two of
skin and fat.
Using a dart like motion
the faster the needle goes in
the less it will hurt.
Insert the needle at a 45 degree
angle like this.
For small needles
like the kind in an insulin pen
you can go straight in at a 90
degree angle.
Push the plunger down to inject
the medication.
Try not to do it too quickly.
That can make it hurt more.
It can help to count to 10 while
you're putting the medication
in.
Remove the needle quickly
trying to take it out at the
same angle it went in
and let go of the skin pinch.
If the area bleeds a little
that's OK.
You can use a cotton ball
or tissue to put pressure on the
area.
But be careful not to rub it
especially if the medication
Is a blood thinner
Because that can cause bruising.
Carefully put the needle and
syringe
into the Sharps Container.
If you've used a medication vial
that's in class
and it's now empty
you can put that in the sharps
container too.
Sometimes with certain
medications
a nurse will put in something
like this.
This is called a subcutaneous
butterfly.
The butterfly can stay in for a
few days
and makes it so you don't
actually have to poke someone
with a needle every time they
have a medication.
The nurse will show you how to
use it
if you need to.
But it's good to know
that even though it might look
harder to use
it's actually a lot easier.
The main thing to remember
is that each butterfly
can only be used for one
medication.
So if they have more than one
medication that's given like
this
make sure to check the label on
the butterfly
and match the medication you're
giving with the label.
Once the medication is in the
syringe
like we drew it up earlier
wash your hands
and put on gloves.
Clean the port on the butterfly
well with rubbing alcohol
and let it dry.
Now you can screw on the
syringe.
You won't need a needle
and slowly inject the
medication.
Then you can unscrew the syringe
and put it into the Sharps
container.
Giving a needle
is one of those tasks that can
be stressful
and you might have a lot of
questions.
Make sure to check in with the
Doctor
nurse
or pharmacist
And ask them any questions you
may have.
Give yourself time to learn and
with practice
you'll be able to give a needle
with confidence in no time.
For more caregiver support and
resources
be sure to visit our care
channel.