How to Give a Heparin Shot
Make sure the medicine has been stored correctly., Look at the expiration date., Note the prescribed amount., Wash your hands., Remove the cap and roll the vial., Wipe the top of the bottle with an alcohol swab., Pull back the plunger of the...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Make sure the medicine has been stored correctly.
Heparin should be stored at room temperature.
It should not be exposed to heat, extreme cold, or direct light.
If your medicine has frozen at some point, you’ll need to discard it., After you’ve made sure the medicine has been stored appropriately, look at the expiration date.
Verify that the medicine is still good.
If it is not, do not use it., Before injecting Heparin, you need to make a good note of the amount of the drug you need to inject.
This is important, as too little of the medication won’t have the desired effect and too much could hurt you.
It is best to write down the amount of Heparin you need to inject so you’ll know how much you need to fill your syringe with. , Before you handle the syringe or vial of Heparin, you should wash your hands thoroughly.
This is important, as failure to wash your hands could introduce bacteria to the syringe – resulting in infection at the injection site.
Use antibacterial soap., Your vial of Heparin will be covered with a plastic cap.
Make sure to remove the cap and discard it.
Then, take the bottle in your hands and slowly roll the bottle back and forth.
This will mix the medicine in preparation for injection.
Do not shake the bottle., This will sanitize it and lower the chances of infection.
If you don’t wipe the top, you could introduce bacteria into your body., Remove the cap of the needle and avoid touching it.
Then, pull back the plunger of the syringe to the point that corresponds with the amount of medicine you will need to inject.
This will fill the plunger with air., Firmly insert the needle into the rubber stopper of the vial.
Push it in a steady fashion.
Then push the plunger of the syringe down.
This way, the air from the syringe will go into the vial., After you injected air into the vial, you’ll need to flip the bottle upside down while the needle is still in it.
Then, pull the plunger back to the point specified by the prescription.
Make sure the liquid Heparin covers the needle or you will pull back air rather than Heparin.
Review the dosage amount with the doctor or nurse before leaving with your prescription.
Make sure not to fill the syringe with any more or any less of the medicine than the doctor has recommended., Carefully withdraw the needle from the bottle.
Then, place the bottle down.
At the same time, make sure the needle doesn’t touch anything.Then, hold the syringe needle up, tap to remove air bubbles, and prepare the syringe by pushing the plunger down.
This will move the Heparin into the needle, making it ready for insertion., Choose a spot on your body where you want to give yourself the shot.
You can inject it into your abdomen, thighs, or the outer deltoid area of your upper arm.
Ultimately, the site of injection is up to you.
To decide, you may want to consider the discomfort involved and possible bruising.Don’t give yourself a shot into any area of your body that is bruised, swollen, or tender.
Don’t give your Heparin shot within 1 inch (2.54 cm) of a scar or 2 inches (5.08 cm) of your bellybutton. , Using your fingers and a thumb, pinch some of your skin together.
By doing this, you'll create an area of extra skin and fatty tissue where you can inject the Heparin.
If you don't do this, you could wind up injecting the Heparin into your muscle., Take the syringe and push it into your skin at a 45-degree angle.
Make sure you push the needle all the way into the pinched-up fold of your skin and into your fatty tissue., After you've inserted the needle, push the plunger down in a slow and steady manner.
This will release the Heparin into your fatty tissue.
Make sure not to push down too quickly, as you need to provide time for the Heparin to spread out from the site of injection.Leave the needle in for 5 seconds after you’ve pushed the plunger down., Steadily withdraw the needle at the same angle you inserted it.
Place the syringe down and press a piece of gauze against the injection site.
Hold it until the injection point no longer bleeds.
Discard the gauze and cover the injection site with a Band-Aid.
Discard the needle in an appropriate container. -
Step 2: Look at the expiration date.
-
Step 3: Note the prescribed amount.
-
Step 4: Wash your hands.
-
Step 5: Remove the cap and roll the vial.
-
Step 6: Wipe the top of the bottle with an alcohol swab.
-
Step 7: Pull back the plunger of the syringe.
-
Step 8: Push the needle into the rubber stopper of the vial.
-
Step 9: Turn the bottle upside down and pull back the plunger.
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Step 10: Remove and prepare the syringe.
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Step 11: Pick a spot to give the injection.
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Step 12: Pinch a small fold in your skin.
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Step 13: Insert the needle.
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Step 14: Push down on the plunger.
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Step 15: Remove the needle and bandage yourself.
Detailed Guide
Heparin should be stored at room temperature.
It should not be exposed to heat, extreme cold, or direct light.
If your medicine has frozen at some point, you’ll need to discard it., After you’ve made sure the medicine has been stored appropriately, look at the expiration date.
Verify that the medicine is still good.
If it is not, do not use it., Before injecting Heparin, you need to make a good note of the amount of the drug you need to inject.
This is important, as too little of the medication won’t have the desired effect and too much could hurt you.
It is best to write down the amount of Heparin you need to inject so you’ll know how much you need to fill your syringe with. , Before you handle the syringe or vial of Heparin, you should wash your hands thoroughly.
This is important, as failure to wash your hands could introduce bacteria to the syringe – resulting in infection at the injection site.
Use antibacterial soap., Your vial of Heparin will be covered with a plastic cap.
Make sure to remove the cap and discard it.
Then, take the bottle in your hands and slowly roll the bottle back and forth.
This will mix the medicine in preparation for injection.
Do not shake the bottle., This will sanitize it and lower the chances of infection.
If you don’t wipe the top, you could introduce bacteria into your body., Remove the cap of the needle and avoid touching it.
Then, pull back the plunger of the syringe to the point that corresponds with the amount of medicine you will need to inject.
This will fill the plunger with air., Firmly insert the needle into the rubber stopper of the vial.
Push it in a steady fashion.
Then push the plunger of the syringe down.
This way, the air from the syringe will go into the vial., After you injected air into the vial, you’ll need to flip the bottle upside down while the needle is still in it.
Then, pull the plunger back to the point specified by the prescription.
Make sure the liquid Heparin covers the needle or you will pull back air rather than Heparin.
Review the dosage amount with the doctor or nurse before leaving with your prescription.
Make sure not to fill the syringe with any more or any less of the medicine than the doctor has recommended., Carefully withdraw the needle from the bottle.
Then, place the bottle down.
At the same time, make sure the needle doesn’t touch anything.Then, hold the syringe needle up, tap to remove air bubbles, and prepare the syringe by pushing the plunger down.
This will move the Heparin into the needle, making it ready for insertion., Choose a spot on your body where you want to give yourself the shot.
You can inject it into your abdomen, thighs, or the outer deltoid area of your upper arm.
Ultimately, the site of injection is up to you.
To decide, you may want to consider the discomfort involved and possible bruising.Don’t give yourself a shot into any area of your body that is bruised, swollen, or tender.
Don’t give your Heparin shot within 1 inch (2.54 cm) of a scar or 2 inches (5.08 cm) of your bellybutton. , Using your fingers and a thumb, pinch some of your skin together.
By doing this, you'll create an area of extra skin and fatty tissue where you can inject the Heparin.
If you don't do this, you could wind up injecting the Heparin into your muscle., Take the syringe and push it into your skin at a 45-degree angle.
Make sure you push the needle all the way into the pinched-up fold of your skin and into your fatty tissue., After you've inserted the needle, push the plunger down in a slow and steady manner.
This will release the Heparin into your fatty tissue.
Make sure not to push down too quickly, as you need to provide time for the Heparin to spread out from the site of injection.Leave the needle in for 5 seconds after you’ve pushed the plunger down., Steadily withdraw the needle at the same angle you inserted it.
Place the syringe down and press a piece of gauze against the injection site.
Hold it until the injection point no longer bleeds.
Discard the gauze and cover the injection site with a Band-Aid.
Discard the needle in an appropriate container.
About the Author
Debra Adams
Brings years of experience writing about cooking and related subjects.
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