Drawing Up Medication
Last Modified - October 30, 2003, 6:34 pm
- Check the label for correct medication.
- Remove the soft metal or plastic cap protecting the rubber stopper of the vial.
- If the medication vial can be used for more than one dose, record the date and time on the label.
- Clean the exposed rubber stopper using an alcohol swab.
- Remove the syringe from the plastic or paper cover. If necessary, attach the needle securely.
- Pull back and forth on the plunger by grasping the plunger handle. Grasping the handle end will pre-vent contamination of the plunger shaft (which is sterile) and help check for easy movement.
- With the needle capped, pull back the plunger, filling the syringe with air equal to the amount of medication to be administered.
- Remove the cap covering the needle and set it on its side to prevent contamination. Be careful not to touch the needle. The inside of the cap and needle is sterile, and the needle will be covered again with this cap.
- With the vial in an up-right position, push the needle through the cleansed rubber stopper on the vial. Push the needle in at a 90 degree angle, being careful not to bend the needle.
- Inject the air in the syringe into the vial. Air is injected into a multi-dose vial to prevent a vacuum from forming. If too little or no air is injected, withdrawing the medication may be difficult. If too much air is injected, the plunger may be forced out of the barrel causing the medication to spill.
- Turn the vial upside down, with the needle remaining in the vial. The needle will be pointing upward.
- Make sure that the tip of the needle is completely covered by the medication. This will make it easier to withdraw the solution (and not air).
- Pull back on the plunger to fill the syringe with the correct dose of medication.
- Keep the vial upside down, with the needle in the vial pointed upward. Tap the syringe, or "flick" it with your fingertips. This helps move bubbles to the top of the syringe.
- Once the bubbles are at the top of the syringe, gently push on the plunger to force the bubbles out of the syringe and back into the vial. Or, you may push all the medication solution back into the vial, withdraw again slowly, and repeat steps 14 and 15. Note: It is important to eliminate large air bubbles because they take up space needed for the medication, and they may cause pain or discomfort when injected.
- After removing the bubbles, check the dose of medication in the syringe to be sure you have drawn up the correct amount.
- After the medication is correctly drawn up, carefully replace the needle cap to prevent contamination.
Subcutaneous Injection Guide
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