Oscar's Faith Aguilar, RN shares a how-to video on taking insulin injections for those living with diabetes.
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Oscar's Faith Aguilar, RN* shares a how-to video on taking insulin injections for those living with diabetes (opens in new tab).
Watch (opens in new tab) this latest episode of Oscar’s “From the Frontlines” series.
"Hello, my name is Faith Aguilar and I am a registered nurse with the Virtual Care Team at Oscar.
Today, we are going to review how to self administer insulin.
Let’s start with collecting your supplies.
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Place these items on a flat, clean surface, then wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Let’s talk for a moment about your syringe.
This is the barrel, 1/2ml barrel and it holds up to 50 units. The long lines mark every 5 units and the short lines in between mark 1 unit.
The barrel has wings on the bottom to help you hold the syringe. There should also be a white cap that covers the end of the plunger.
Inside the barrel is the plunger and it has a black rubber stopper that moves as you push or pull the plunger. The very tip of the black stopper is where you want to make sure your insulin line is measured because when you are measuring liquid it can curve in or out.
At the other end of the syringe is the needle, which is covered by an orange cap.
Now, let's look at the insulin vial.
If you are using a new vial of insulin, remove the plastic cap and throw it away. Write the date you opened the vial so you know when a month has passed and it is time to throw it away. Before using, always look at the insulin closely to make sure it does not have any lumps, crystals, or strange color. If it does, dispose of the insulin and use a new vial. You can also check with your pharmacist.
If you are using clear insulin and it looks okay, you are ready to use. If you are using insulin and it looks a little cloudy, gently roll the vial between your hands about 20 times until the liquid is well mixed and has an even look. Do not shake your insulin.
Next, use one of the alcohol swabs to wipe the top of the insulin vial. Then, let the alcohol air dry.
When you draw insulin, first, inject air into the vial equal to the amount of insulin you will be taking from the vial. This makes it easier to get insulin into the syringe.
Twist and remove the white cap from the end of the plunger. Then pull the orange cap straight off the needle. Make sure you try to pull straight to avoid damaging the needle.
I will use an example of 10 units. First, I will put 10 units of air into the barrel of the syringe. I will pull the plunger, until the end of the rubber stopper closest to the needle goes to the 10 unit mark.
Now, hold the syringe like a pencil with your dominant hand and hold the insulin vial on a flat surface with your other hand. Place the needle point directly on the center above the vial’s top. Be careful not to touch the metal rim with the tip of the needle. Gently push the needle straight through the top of the vial until the needle goes all the way in. Then slowly push down on the plunger to push the air in the syringe into the vial.
With the syringe still in the vial, slowly turn both the insulin vial and the syringe upside down so the vial is on top of the syringe. Make sure the tip of the needle is below the level of insulin left in the vial. If the needle tip is above the insulin level you will need to pull the needle out a bit.
Now, we are going to draw insulin into the syringe. Slowly and steadily pull down on the plunger until the tip of the black rubber stopper closest to the needle is even with the line on the syringe indicating your dose. Make sure you pull slowly. If you don’t, this could cause air bubbles which keeps you from getting your full dose of insulin.
Before removing the needle from the vial, look for air bubbles in the barrel of the syringe. If you see any air bubbles, slowly push the plunger until all the insulin is back in the vial, then redraw the insulin more slowly. Continue to check for air bubbles as you go and just repeat this step until there are no air bubbles in your syringe.
Once you have drawn up your dose turn the syringe and the bottle back over and place the bottle on a flat surface. Then holding the syringe by the barrel carefully pull the needle straight out of the bottle and place the syringe on the flat surface as well. Be careful and do not let the needle touch the surface.
It’s important to rotate your injection sites. Move the injection down by a fingers width with each injection and change to a new site each week.
With the second alcohol swab, clean the small area of skin where you plan to inject. Start with the middle of the injection site and then with a circular motion move outwards. Let the alcohol on your skin dry completely before you inject to avoid stinging.
Next, ever so gently slightly pinch up the area you cleaned, about 1-2 inches, with your thumb and first finger. This helps to make sure the insulin is released into the fatty tissue just beneath the skin. Now in the center of the area insert the needle straight in (at a 90 degree angle), If you are very thin you might need to inject at a 45 degree angle.
Once the needle is fully inserted, slowly push in the plunger to deliver the insulin to your body. Wait about 5 seconds. Slowly remove the needle. Do not recap or reuse needles. Put the used needle in a safe container (sharps or old detergent). The caps and alcohol swabs can be thrown away with your regular trash.
I hope this helps! Be on the lookout for our next video. We will be discussing changes in our eating habits (opens in new tab) that will help us on our journey to become our best selves!"