It is not easy to administer the drugs intravenously, but there are some simple techniques that can help you perform all the steps correctly. Don't dare to give intravenous injections unless you have the proper skills and training in nursing. If you are a doctor learning to do them or if you need to take intravenous medication, start preparing the syringe. Next, find a vein and slowly inject the medicinal solution. Always use sterile medical devices; introduce the drug in the direction in which the blood is circulating and, once finished, watch out for any complications.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Prepare for the injection
Step 1. Wash your hands
Before handling a drug or needle, you need to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water. Rub the soap into your palm, back, and between your fingers for 20 seconds. After rinsing, dry them well with a clean towel or paper towel.
- To further reduce the risk of infection or contamination, it is also advisable to wear a pair of sterile, disposable medical gloves. They are not essential, but they may be necessary in the health sector.
- To calculate the time taken to wash your hands, sing the song "Happy Birthday to You" twice. It will take about 20 seconds.
Step 2. Insert the needle into the medication bottle and pull the plunger back
Take the sterile syringe out of the package and insert the needle tip into the bottle. Draw up the medicine solution at the correct dosage by pulling back the plunger. Make sure you only administer the dose prescribed by your doctor. Do not take more or less. If necessary, follow the additional instructions given by your doctor regarding the correct preparation of the drug.
Always inspect the drug to rule out changes that do not allow its use. The medicinal solution should not be discolored or have particles, while the bottle should not have leaks and signs of damage
Step 3. Hold the syringe with the needle pointing up and expel any excess air
After adding the prescribed dose into the cylinder, turn the syringe upside down so that the needle points upwards. Then, gently tap it sideways to push any air bubbles to the surface. Push the plunger just enough to get rid of the air.
Make sure all the air has escaped the syringe before injecting
Step 4. Place the syringe on a flat, clean surface
After removing the air, protect the needle with the needle cap and place the syringe on a sterile surface until you are ready to use it. Do not allow the needle to come into contact with contaminated surfaces.
If you drop the needle or accidentally touch it, prepare another syringe
Part 2 of 3: Finding the Vein
Step 1. Have the patient drink 2-3 glasses of water
When the body is properly hydrated, blood flows better through the veins, making them larger and more visible. Conversely, it is more difficult to identify the vein to be stung in dehydrated people. If you have this suspicion, ask the patient to drink 2-3 glasses of water before giving the injection.
- Juice, decaffeinated tea, or decaffeinated coffee also help rehydrate.
- If the patient is severely dehydrated, intravenous fluids may be required. If he is not in a position to drink, keep looking for the vein.
Step 2. Look for the vein in the crease of the elbow
Typically, the veins in this area of the arm are more suitable for injection and also easier to find. Ask the patient if he prefers one arm over the other. So, watch it to see if you can spot one. If not, you need to bring it to the surface.
- When more than one intravenous injection is to be given to the same patient, it is preferable to alternate the arms to prevent the veins from collapsing.
- Be cautious if you need to inject on your hand or foot. Veins in these parts of the body are often easier to find, but also more fragile and can collapse easily. Also, the intravenous in these areas can be quite painful. If the patient is diabetic, exclude the feet as it is very risky.
- Never give injections on the neck, head, groin or wrist! Major arteries branch out along the neck and groin, so the risk of overdose, loss of a limb and even death is higher.
Step 3. Wrap the tourniquet around your arm to bring out the vein
Wrap the tourniquet approximately 5 to 10 cm above the injection site. Tie a simple knot or use the appropriate buckle to secure it. If you need to inject into the crook of the elbow, be sure to tie it before the bicep, not directly above.
- The tourniquet should be used so that it can be removed easily. Never use a belt or a piece of rigid fabric as it risks deforming the veins.
- If you can't find the vein to puncture, try applying the tourniquet to your shoulder to help get blood flow to your arm.
Step 4. Ask the patient to open and close their hand
You can also give him a stress ball and ask him to squeeze it and release the pressure several times. After about 30-60 seconds, see if the vein has become more prominent.
Step 5. Palpate with your fingers
Once the vein is located, place a finger on it and press it gently several times for 20-30 seconds. In this way, it will tend to dilate and become slightly more visible.
Don't crush it! Palpate the vein with gentle pressure
Step 6. Apply a warm compress to the injection site if the veins are not visible
The heat helps dilate and swell the veins, making it easier to locate them. If you need to heat the area to be stung, put a damp towel in the microwave for 15 to 30 seconds, then place it where needed. You can also immerse the affected limb directly in hot water.
- Alternatively, try warming up the whole body, giving the patient a hot drink, such as tea or coffee, or suggesting that they take a hot bath.
- Never inject while the patient is in the bath! Among the effects that could be unleashed, there is the risk of drowning.
Step 7. Disinfect the site where you are going to inject with denatured alcohol
Make sure the affected portion of skin is clean before injecting the drug. Once you've found the right vein, disinfect the site with a cotton pad dipped in isopropyl alcohol.
If you don't have a ready-to-use disinfectant swab, wet a sterile cotton swab with isopropyl alcohol and use it to clean the area to be stung
Part 3 of 3: Insert the Needle and Inject the Medication
Step 1. Insert the needle into the vein by holding the syringe at a 45 degree angle to the arm
Take the syringe that you had put away from any contamination and introduce the needle in the predetermined point. Insert it so that the medicine is injected in the direction the bloodstream is circulating. Since veins carry blood to the heart, proceed so that the drug flows to this organ as well. Make sure the bevel of the needle is facing up when doing this.
- If you have any doubts or questions regarding correct needle placement, consult a doctor or nurse before proceeding.
- Only start the injection when you are able to clearly identify the vein to be punctured. It can be dangerous, if not fatal, to inject drugs intended for intravenous administration into another part of the body.
Step 2. Pull the plunger back to make sure you have inserted it well into the vein
Gently pull it back and see if any blood gets into the syringe. If it's not there, it means the needle hasn't entered the vein, so you need to remove it and try again. If the blood is dark red, you have correctly punctured the vein and can proceed with the administration of the drug.
If the blood is leaking with considerable pressure and is bright red and frothy, you have inserted the needle into an artery. Pull it out immediately and compress the wound for at least 5 minutes to stop the bleeding. Be very careful if you puncture the brachial artery in the crease of the elbow as excessive bleeding can damage the function of the hand. Try again by changing the needle once the bleeding has stopped
Step 3. Remove the tourniquet before administering the medication
If you applied the tourniquet before inserting the needle, remove it at this point, otherwise the vein could collapse.
If the patient opens and closes his hand, ask him to stop
Step 4. Slowly push the plunger
It is important to inject the drug slowly to prevent the vein from being pressed too hard. Push the plunger slowly and steadily until all the medicine is injected.
Step 5. Slowly withdraw the needle and squeeze the injection site
After administering the medication, slowly remove the needle and immediately compress the injection site with gauze or a cotton ball for 30-60 seconds to stop the blood from leaking.
If the bleeding is excessive and does not stop, call the emergency services
Step 6. Bandage the place where you gave the injection
Cover it with another sterile gauze, then secure it with a plaster or adhesive bandage. This will keep putting pressure on the site after you take your finger off the gauze or cotton ball.
Once you've bandaged the injection site, you're done
Step 7. Contact a doctor in an emergency
There are several complications that need to be looked out for after intravenous administration of a drug. They can occur soon after the injection or in the following days. See your doctor immediately if:
- You've punctured an artery and can't stop the bleeding
- The injection site becomes hot, red, and swollen;
- Following an injection in the leg, the limb hurts, has swollen or is inoperable;
- An abscess develops at the injection site;
- The arm or leg where you injected the drug becomes pale and cold;
- You accidentally stung yourself with a needle used for a patient.
Warnings
- Seek help if you are on intravenous drug use. Talk to a friend or family member to get the support you need.
- Don't take intravenous medications and don't give them to others unless you have the right skills and training. This type of injection carries more risk than subcutaneous and intramuscular injections.
- Do not inject any medicine unless specifically directed by your doctor.
