How can I show patients how to properly inject insulin?

THIS ARTICLE WILL TELL YOU ABOUT:

• Why proper technique for insulin injection is important
• Practical instructions for good technique
• Complications of poor technique
• Principles to teach patients

YOU WOULD BE LIKELY TO REFERENCE THIS ARTICLE IF YOU WERE RESEARCHING:

• Insulin administration
• Injection techniques
• Lipohypertrophy
• Patient education

IN WHAT SITUATIONS WILL THIS ARTICLE BE USEFUL TO ME?

This article is practical and will help you to develop good insulin injection techniques and guide you in your role as patient educator. The information will help you when injecting insulin, when educating patients about proper injection, and in understanding how improper techniques can result in harmful glucose levels. Specific techniques mentioned include managing insulin suspensions, skin folding, angle of insulin injection, site rotation and the disposal of sharps.

QUESTIONS FOR YOUR MENTOR/TUTOR:

• What strategies can I use for communicating proper insulin injection techniques to patients?
• How can lipohypertrophy be treated?

STUDENT NT DECODER:

• Hyperglycaemia: the condition in which the blood contains a higher than normal concentration of glucose
• Hypoglycaemia: the condition in which the blood contains a lower than normal concentration of glucose
• Lipohypertrophy: the accumulation of fat under the skin which can result from over injecting in one site

OTHER ARTICLES YOU MIGHT FIND USEFUL:

• Tackling insulin maladministration
• Safety when giving insulin in hospital
• How to manage hypoglycaemia