Sage-Tips

Why are subcutaneous injections given at a 45 or 90 degree angle?

Angle of injection It is recommended that subcutaneous injections, particularly of insulin, are administered at a 90-degree angle to ensure that the medication is delivered into the subcutaneous tissue (Down and Kirkland, 2012; Hunter, 2008).

What angle should a subcutaneous injection be given?

Generally, a 25- to 27-gauge, 5/8-inch-long needle is appropriate. If you can pinch a 1-inch (2.5-cm) tissue fold, insert the needle at a 45-degree angle; for a 2-inch (5-cm) fold, insert it at a 90-degree angle. Warm the medication as recommended.

What happens if the needle is inserted at an angle more than 45 degrees?

When the needle is inserted at an excessive angle, the patient is at risk of injury because there is almost no margin for error in the depth of penetration.

What is the purpose of giving a subcutaneous injection?

Subcutaneous injection can be used to give many types of medications for various medical conditions. There are fewer blood vessels in the fatty layer of connective tissue just beneath the skin than the muscle tissue. Having fewer blood vessels means that medication injected subcutaneously is absorbed more slowly.

Why do you pinch the skin when giving a subcutaneous injection?

Pinch your skin. Take a big pinch of skin between your thumb and index finger and hold it. (Your thumb and forefinger should be about an inch and a half apart.) This pulls the fatty tissue away from the muscle and makes the injection easier.

What happens if subcutaneous injection is given intramuscularly?

Intramuscular injections are absorbed faster than subcutaneous injections. This is because muscle tissue has a greater blood supply than the tissue just under the skin. Muscle tissue can also hold a larger volume of medication than subcutaneous tissue.

What will happen if the needle angle is too steep?

If the needle angle is too shallow, this can cause the needle to come in contact with the upper wall, resulting in an angle that is too steep, which can cause the needle to come in contact with the lower wall.

Why do you pinch the skin up before administering a subcutaneous injection?

What happens if you give a subcutaneous shot intramuscular?

Subcutaneous injections can lead to localised cellulitis, granuloma formation and abscess. The COVID-19 vaccine has shown to have high efficacy if given correctly intramuscularly. Subcutaneous injection can happen inadvertently (figure 1), affecting efficacy of vaccination and potentiate local adverse events.