Cebu Doctors’ University

College of Nursing

Mandaue City

INSULIN ADMINISTRATION

DEFINITION:

Insulin Administration-injection of prescribed dose of insulin through the subcutaneous route

PURPOSE:

⮚ lowers blood sugar level by facilitating the uptake and utilization of glucose by the tissues

MATERIALS: A lined Hypotray/injection tray containing:

Insulin vial Insulin injection log

Insulin syringe, sterile injection towel, sterile

waste receptacle medicine ticket

Kelly forceps, sterile (in disinfectant solution) Denatured alcohol

Dry cotton balls, sterile match sticks

Cotton balls wet with 70% alcohol

Injection pillow

PROCEDURE RATIONALE

1. Check the patient’s chart for the doctor’s order for insulin administration.
2. Transcribe the doctor’s order into the medicine ticket.
3. Explain the procedure to the patient.
4. Gather the necessary materials. Then, perform medical hand washing.
5. Get one dry cotton ball using the sterile forceps. Place it on the hypotray.
6. Pour denatured alcohol on the cotton ball. Ignite.
7. Pass flaming cotton ball over the hypotray in one direction, from top to bottom.
8. Open sterile injection towel on the hypotray. Fan fold injection towel on one side.
9. Using sterile forceps, place the following items on the injection towel:
1 sterile dry cotton ball
insulin syringe
4 wet cotton balls

10. Place one wet cotton ball on top of the insulin vial. Then, disinfect the rubber
cap of the vial with the cotton ball, then your hands using the same.
11. Get the insulin syringe and withdraw exact amount of prescribed insulin from the
vial.
12. Place the insulin syringe back on the injection towel. Close the towel, covering
the syringe.
13. Insert the medicine ticket under the injection towel, in line with the syringe.
14. Bring the hypotray with materials (syringe with insulin) to the patient’s room.
Place on the bedside table.
15. Ask the patient to state his/her full name. Compare it to the medicine ticket.

16. Select and expose appropriate injection site.

17. Get a wet cotton ball and disinfect the site of injection then discard.
18. With another wet cotton ball from the tray, disinfect hands then discard.
19. Get a sterile dry cotton ball and place it between your small finger and ring
finger of the non-dominant hand.
20. Get the insulin syringe from the injection towel using your dominant hand.
Remove the syringe cap.
21. Grab a substantial portion of the skin and subcutaneous tissue between the
thumb and the other fingers of the non-dominant hand.
22. With the dominant hand, inject the needle into the site using a 90-degree angle
(target tissue is still the subcutaneous tissue) since the needle of the insulin syringe is very
short.
23. Then, support the hub with the thumb and index finger of the non-dominant
hand.
24. With your dominant hand, slowly push the plunger down to deliver the
medication, using the cigarette position.
25. Place the dry cotton ball over the injection site. Apply very little pressure then
withdraw the needle quickly.
26. Check for bleeding and possible reactions/ complications. Do not massage
injection site.
27. Do after care.
28. Document the following on the insulin injection log:
Type and amount of insulin used
Site of injection
Date and time of administration
Route of administration
Reactions of the patient, if any