How to use an insulin pen

Choosing the right injection site is crucial for insulin administration. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to choose the injection site and inject insulin properly:

Choosing the Injection Site:

1. Insulin should be injected into the fatty tissue just under the skin. Avoid injecting into the muscle.
2. Select one of the following injection sites:
   • Abdomen (excluding a 5 cm area around the navel)
   • Upper and outer thigh
   • Outer and upper buttocks
   • Back of the arms
3. After each injection, rotate the injection site to prevent tissue damage. Inject at least 2 to 5 cm away from the previous site. Avoid injecting into areas with cuts, wounds, rashes, or sensitivity.

How to Inject Insulin:

1. Begin by preparing a clean surface for injection.
2. Gather the necessary tools:
   • Insulin pen
   • Insulin pen needle
   • Alcohol pad
   • Sharps disposal container
   • Container for sharp objects
3. Wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap for 15 to 20 seconds. Dry your hands with a clean towel and use the same towel to turn off the water tap.

Preparing the Insulin Pen:

4. Check the label on the insulin pen to ensure it contains the correct insulin.
5. Remove the cap of the insulin pen and place it on a clean surface.
6. If using cloudy insulin, gently roll the pen between your palms ten times. Then, tip the pen up and down ten times to mix the insulin until it appears uniform, white, and free of clumps or particles.
7. Clean the end cap of the insulin pen with an alcohol pad.
8. Remove the protective cap from the new pen needle.
9. Insert the pen needle vertically into the plastic end of the pen and screw it in until it no longer turns. Ensure the needle remains straight while screwing it in.
10. Remove the outer cap of the needle, followed by the inner cover.

Checking the Pen:

11. Hold the insulin pen to ensure the insulin name is visible. Set the dose selector to 2 units.
12. Point the needle upwards and press the injection button. Check if insulin comes out. If not, repeat the process.
13. If insulin still doesn’t come out, replace the needle and repeat the process.

Setting the Insulin Dose:

14. Ensure the dose display shows zero. If not, turn the dose selector backwards until it reads zero.
15. Turn the dose selector forward to set the desired dose. Ensure the arrow points to the exact dose needed.

Administering the Injection:

16. Clean the injection site with an alcohol pad.
17. Hold the insulin pen firmly with your fist and place your index finger on the injection button. Do not press the button until the needle is inserted into the skin.
18. Gather the skin at the injection site with two fingers. Insert the entire needle vertically into the skin. Gently press the pen to create a small dimple around the needle tip.
19. Press the injection button firmly. Hold it until you count slowly to 10, allowing enough time for the insulin to be fully injected. The dose display should return to zero.

Following these steps ensures safe and effective insulin administration. Remember to always consult with a healthcare provider for guidance on insulin dosage and injection techniques.