SubQ shot sites and techniques
SubQ shot sites and techniques
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Where can I give a subQ shot? There are many sites on the body that are safe to give subQ shots. Following is a list of the sites where subQ shots may be given:
Upper Arm: Uncover the arm to the shoulder to see the whole arm. Have the person getting the shot stand with hand on hip. Stand next to and a little behind the person. Find the area in the middle part of the arm, halfway between the elbow and shoulder. Gently grasp the skin at the back of the arm between your thumb and first 2 fingers. You should have 1-2 inches of skin.
Abdomen: Uncover the abdomen to see the whole area. Find the waist area. You may give a shot bounded by these landmarks: below the waist, to just above the hip bone, and from where the body curves at the side to about 2 inches from the middle of the abdomen. Avoid the bellybutton. Use the natural line in the middle of the body as a marker. It may be hard to see, but it is there unless it was removed by surgery.
Thigh: Uncover the entire leg. Find the area between the knee and hip. The middle of the thigh, from mid-front to mid-side, on the outside part of the thigh is a safe site. Gently grasp the area to make sure you can pinch one to two inches of skin.
Lower back: Uncover the back from the waist to the top of the rear-end. A shot may be given just below the waist to a line that runs across the back above the crack between rear end cheeks. Give the shot between the area where the body curves at the hip and a few inches from the spine.
How do I choose a good place for the shot? Any of these sites--upper arm, abdomen, thigh, and lower back--may be used. It is important to keep track of the sites you use and to use a different site each time you give a shot. Some sites are preferred for certain medicines. Ask your caregiver if the medicine you are taking has a preferred site. If you are giving shots to yourself you may not be able to use your back or your arm.
To keep track of where you are giving shots, make a list of the sites you use. Write down the date, time, and the site each time you give a shot.
The sites where shots are given should be at least 1 inch away from each other. Picture 1 inch squares, like a checkerboard. A shot may be given into each of those squares. You may choose to rotate your shots through one area, like the left thigh, then begin again in the same area. Or you may rotate through one area then go to another.
It is very important to rotate sites. Giving a shot in the same site can make the site scarred and hard. Hard areas will keep you from using all the medicine.
What do I need to give a subQ shot?
One alcohol wipe wrapped in foil.
One sterile 2x2 gauze pad.
An ampule, vial, or pre-filled syringe containing the medicine.
The correct size syringe and needle. Your caregiver should give you this information.
How do I inject medicine into subcutaneous tissue? Please read this section all the way through before giving the shot. It is important to get the general idea of what you are about to do before you begin. You may read this step-by-step procedure again as you do it.
SubQ shots can be given straight in at a 90 degree angle, or at a 45 degree angle. Give the shot straight in at a 90 degree angle if 2 inches of skin can be grasped between your thumb and first (index) finger. If only 1 inch of skin can be grasped, give the shot at a 45 degree angle.
Open the foil covering the first alcohol wipe.
Wipe the area where you plan to give the shot. Let the area dry.
Take the cover off the needle. Hold the syringe with your writing hand and pull the cover off with your other hand--like taking a cap off a pen.
If you will give the shot at a 45 degree angle, hold the syringe with your writing hand.
Place the syringe between your thumb and your index and second fingers. The needle should be pointing upwards or downwards at the 45 degree angle you plan to use.
If you will give the shot at a 90 degree angle, hold the syringe with your writing hand.
Hold the syringe under your thumb and first finger. Let the barrel of the syringe rest on your second finger. Many people hold a pen this way when they write.
Grasp the skin with the hand not holding the syringe. Holding the syringe barrel tightly with your writing hand, use your wrist to inject the needle. Sometimes the needle goes in easily. Some people have tougher skin and a little more pressure or quickness must be used.
Once the needle is all the way in, push the plunger down to inject the medicine.
Remove the needle at the same angle you put it in.
Gently wipe the area with the dry
