How to give subcutaneous injection

By subcutaneous injection, the active substance is injected into fatty tissue between the skin and the muscles. The drug administered in this way is absorbed slower (weaker blood supply to the injection area) than, for example, after intramuscular or intravenous administration, therefore it usually works longer and less rapidly. The nurse in the video shows a popular and relatively safe method of subcutaneous injection. The technique is based on the formation of a fold of the patient’s skin with the fingers. The fold reduces the risk of puncturing deeper vessels and muscles. The needle is inserted into the apex of the skin fold, most often at an angle of 90 °. In very slim people, with a thin layer of fatty tissue under the skin, the needle can be inserted at a smaller angle (90 ° – 45 °) – most often it allows for a slightly longer path for the needle. In most cases, when the needle is properly placed under the skin, you can relax the skin. In very slim patients, it may be necessary to hold the fold throughout the injection – in order to avoid displacement of the needle into the deeper tissues. Sometimes, maintaining too much pressure while giving a subcutaneous injection can cause resistance to the syringe plunger and cause pain for the patient.