Parenteral Equipment and Supplies: Syringes, Needles, and More

1. UNIT 12 Parenteral Equipment and Supplies

2. Key Terms Ampule Cartridge Gauge Hypodermic Injection Luer-Lok Parenteral Sterile Vial

3. Syringe-Needle Unit Used to inject a liquid substance into Tissue Vein Artery Joint Body canal Used to remove fluid from the body by Aspiration Venipuncture

4. Syringe Syringe without needle may be used to Perform irrigation Wounds Eyes Ears Administer liquid oral medications

5. Parts of a Syringe • Barrel • Part that holds medication • Plunger • Movable cylinder within barrel • Flange • Forms rim around end of barrel • Tip • Needle attachment (continues)

6. Parts of a Syringe (continues)

7. Parts of a Syringe Warning! The following parts of the syringe MUST remain sterile during preparation and administration of medications Inside of barrel Part of plunger that fits inside barrel Syringe tip for needle attachment

8. Disposable Syringes • Sterilized • Prepackaged • Nontoxic • Nonpyrogenic • Ready to use (continues)

9. Disposable Syringes Advantages Safer Convenient Precision sharpened Saves time Saves money Discussion Question: Why would physicians use reusable syringes rather than disposable syringes for procedures such as thoracentesis?

10. Nondisposable Syringes Primarily used for Paracentesis Thoracentesis Thoracotomy Tracheotomy

11. Combination Syringes Disposable cartridge-needle unit Nondisposable cartridge-holder unit

12. 5-mL Syringe Measuring medication 5-mL calibrated with single metric scale Each small line = 0.2 mL Longer lines = 1 mL

13. 3-mL Syringe Measuring medication 3-mL syringe used for most injections Each small line = 0.1 mL Longer lines = 1/2 mL (0.5 mL)

14. 1-mL Syringe Measuring medication 1-mL syringe also called tuberculin syringe Each small line = 0.01 mL Longer lines = 0.1 mL

15. Insulin Syringe Measuring Medication Calibrated in units Lo-Dose Small lines = 1 unit Longer lines = 5 units Maximum of 50 units (0.5 mL) U-100 Small lines = 2 units Longer lines = 10 units Maximum of 100 units (1 mL) (continues)

16. Insulin Syringe

17. Reading Syringes Plunger has black rubber suction tip Face of tip lines up with calibrated lines on barrel Read calibrated scale that directly lines up with slightly pointed edge of rubber tip

18. Hypodermic Needles Disposable Most common Individually packaged Nondisposable Made of high-quality stainless steel Equipped with mounting hub, such as Luer-Lok (continues)

19. Hypodermic Needles Gauge Range from 16 to 30 Determined by diameter of lumen Larger number = smaller lumen Length Vary from 3/8 inch to 2 inches

20. Parts of a Needle • Shaft • Hollow steel tube • Hub • Part that mounts onto syringe • Hilt • Point where shaft attaches to hub (continues)

21. Parts of a Needle • Point • Sharpened end • Bevel • Slanted edge • Lumen • Oval-shaped opening

22. Selecting Appropriate Syringe and Needle Patient Age and size Geriatric or pediatric patients may need shorter needle; large person needs longer needle Medication ordered Amount Viscosity (continues)

23. Selecting Appropriate Syringe and Needle Warning! Using a needle that is too short could result in a sterile abscess. Make sure to choose a needle that is long enough to reach the desired tissue depth.

24. Appropriate Amountof Medication Deltoid: no more than 2 mL Other IM: no more than 3 mL No more than 2 mL if sq

25. Needlestick Injuries Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act Effective March 6, 1992 Covers all health care employees, including those with emergency kits Requires employers to protect employees who may be exposed to blood or potentially infectious material (continues)

26. Needlestick Injuries Can be avoided by Eliminating unnecessary use of needles Using devices with safety features Promoting education and safe work practices Increased risk of infection with Hepatitis B virus Hepatitis C virus Human immunodeficiency virus

27. NIOSH Recommendations Avoid use of needles when possible Help employer select safety devices Use safety devices provided by employer Avoid recapping needles (continues)

28. NIOSH Recommendations Practice safe handling and disposal Report sharps injuries promptly Inform employer of hazards Participate in bloodborne pathogens training Enforce vaccination policies

29. Mixing Medications in One Syringe-Needle Unit Ensure drugs are compatible Inject air into first vial only Remove needle by pulling vial away from needle Check total amount of medication in syringe (continues)

30. Mixing Medications in One Syringe-Needle Unit Discussion Question: Why do you not inject air into the second vial?

31. Reconstituting Powder Medication Withdraw appropriate amount of diluent Add diluent to powder medication Discard syringe used to add diluent to powder Roll vial between hands to mix Use second needle/syringe to withdraw medication (continues)

32. Reconstituting Powder Medication Discussion Question: Why should you use a second syringe to withdraw the medication?