I am a nursing student, need to know needle gauge and length for a 6 month old for an  IM injection?
954920
I was taught to use 25 gauge, 1" at a 90 degree angle in the anterolateral thigh.  However, I was more recently told by a reputable source to use a 1" at about a 70-80 degree angle, with the needle pointing toward the patient's toes.  I've actually found this more to my liking, as I can, by adjusting the angle just a titch (depending on the size of the child) always take the needle to the hub.  This provides an accurate aspiration and injection when working with a wiggling child.  In any  case, my answer would be 1" 25 gauge for immunizations; higher gauge if administering a thicker suspension.
1078742
I started a pump in april.  Before the pump I was on lantus and novolog.  It worked well, and my a1c was 5.7.  I tested around 6-8 times a day.  I was shooting about 6+ times a day.\n\nYou have to test a ton when you first start the pump.  12-15 times a day was the norm for me about the first month of so.  After that I got rates figured out better and it was down to about 8-10.  \n\nLet me back up a bit and explain how pumps work a little.  Pumps only use fast acting insulin.  You load up a "reservoir" (also called a "cartridge"), sorta like a big syringe, with fast acting insulin.  I use novolog.  My reservoir holds 300 units of insulin, about a 10 day supply for me.  \n\nTubing in then connected from the reservoir to an "infusion set" on the body.  The infusion set is put in with a needle that is slightly thicker than a syringe needle and usually considerably longer.  It hurts more to put in than giving a shot does, but still not bad, and it stays there for 3 days.  Some people need to use a lot of tape to keep it in place, some people use none (just the adhesive on the set itself).  You will soon find what works for you.\n\nPumps use "basal" and "bolus" doses of insulin.  The basal is the minimum amount of insulin you need when you are not eating.  This amount may change throughout the day, which is okay on a pump, since you can adjust it by the half hour (on my pump, some pumps you can only go by the hour).  By fine tuning where you need more and less basal, you can really control things better than with shots.  I'm amazed at how varied my basal is, because I need .2 units per hour in the morning, and .7 in the afternoon.  Huge difference.\n\nThe bolus dose is given when you eat or when you have high bs.   You will figure out two numbers with your doctor.  One is called a "carb ratio".  This is the amount of carbs you can eat and take 1 unit of fast acting insulin and stay normal.  For example, mine is 18.  That means I can have 18 grams of carbs, and if I take 1 unit, my blood sugar will stay normal.  So if I want 27 grams of carb, I can take 1.5 units and stay normal.  If I eat 36 grams I can take 2 units and "cover" it.  And so on and so forth. \n\nThe other number is called the "insulin sensitivity factor" or just "ISF."  This is the amount 1 unit of fasting acting insulin drops your blood sugar.  It's 60 for me.  So if I am 180, one unit will bring me to 120.  If i'm 240, 2 units will bring me to 120.  And so on and so forth.\n\nThese two numbers are put in the pump, then you can enter the number of grams and what your bs is and it will tell you how much to bolus for the meal or high bs.  \n\nA few other nice things about the pump is that is can give very precise doses, down to .05 units (try that on shots).  And it can "extend" boluses, to deal with how high bs can last for hours after a high carb meal.  Or you can do a combination bolus, giving some of the dose right away and extending some.\n\nTemporary rates are also a favorite feature of mine.  If I exercise, I turn down how much insulin I get, and that avoids low bs without the constant snacking.\n\nIt's also nice to be free of shots.\n\nBut the down sides are there.  It kinda sucks to be connected to a machine 24/7 (and you have to be if you are pumping).  But you get used to it.  I hated it at first, now I barely think about it.\n\nIt's also mad expensive.  Definitely not feasible if your insurance doesn't want to cooperate or alternatively, if you are not a millionaire.\n\nAlso, some people say they get high bs fast and dangerously when something goes wrong.  When you use only fast acting insulin, you have no "cushion" of Lantus or N or whatever you use now.\n\nPumping can be fraustrating at first, but it ends up worth it imo.
237465
Depends on who you ask. If you ask your dr. he'll say yes. If you ask parents who educate themselves on this issue, we'll say NO. It is much safer, if you do them at all, to ask your dr. to give your baby only a couple at a time. It means more injections for the baby, but it's less taxing on the immune system. Some kids have no problems with this. Thing is, when you go into the dr. to get the shots, you have no idea if your baby's immune system is low at that time. If for some reason it is, and you overload him/her with live viruses, it can be really hard for the immune system to react. This CAN cause the body to not be able to learn to fight the diseases, which is how immunizations work, and therefore the baby can get extremely sick from this. They can either develop the disease your trying to prevent or they can develop devastating consequences. I lost a baby cousin within 24 hours of receiving whatever it is they give at four months. It was written off as SIDS, because they are not required to do a toxocology report on an infant when it dies. I know of another baby personally that this happened to,also. I don't immunize my kids. I feel we live in a day and age that it's just not necessary. But that's my opinion. For people who insist on doing it, my plea is that you have it broken down into smaller amounts, or that you wait until the baby is older and their immune system has had a chance to develop some more. We worry about how their lungs will be developed when born, can they hear, are they turning over on time, but nobody seems to question the development of the immune system. And that's the one thing we can't really know about without testing them each time they get their shots.
1055227
I hate to get shots to. When I found out that I was going to have my 6th grade shots, I freaked out. When I have to get any kind of shots, I think about different things. I don't think about the needle or the shot. So, just don't think about it. It will be over with before you know it.
279973
As a mother, (and I hope you are a nurse or Dr), My daughter responded great to her nurse laying her down on the bed with her legs hanging down over the side.  Then she had me at her head holding her hands up and she leaned against her legs and she gave her the shot without her moving hardly at all.  The needle went in and out before my daughter could even shed a tear. I cried more than she did!  It was the only shot that this was done on, and all of the others were traumatic for my little one!
739354
Send it into the Journal of Forensic Nursing or the Emergency Nursing Journal. \n\nhttp://journals.elsevierhealth.com/periodicals/ymen\n\nhttp://www.medscape.com/viewpublication/1244_index\n\nGood Luck!
889004
Honestly it depends on where you will be getting the injection.  I've had eleven of them this year in various locations.  Most of the time I felt fine, tender yes, but other than that fine the following day.  It was the day after that when I hurt like crazy.   I was getting mine in a joint, my SI Joint and hip joint too.  And it ached.  Just be prepared for the worst.  Bring along whatever pain meds you have been prescribed.  And maybe a cooler with ice packs.  You may need them to help reduce swelling in the area of the injection.
885554
Do you remember your last immunization shots? It's not as bad as that, although it takes a few moments longer. So, no, it doesn't hurt but you will feel it. It's not a big needle and you won't feel the blood coming out.\n\nI'm really freaked out by needles, too. The truth is that the anxiety is worse than actually getting it done. Keep in mind that it only takes a few seconds and that there are far worse things to be awake through. Getting your blood tested is a positive thing that renders important information. It's not like you are getting your teeth pulled, where you have to sit through the drilling, crunching and yanking at your jaw. \n\nJust try to keep it in perspective.
843948
Don't worry, it's not nearly as bad as you think. Although, you will feel a little sting, and they will be using a slightly larger gauge needle than would be used for an injection, it won't be bad at all. Also, you will definitely NOT feel the blood coming out. \n\nIt won't take long at all.\n\n1. They will search for a good vain, either by sight or by gently touching the vain\n2. They will disinfect the injection/withdrawal site with either an alcohol or iodine swab.\n3. They may ask you to make a fist\n4. They will insert the needle and withdraw a couple small vials of blood.\n5. It will be over before you know it, and you will probably be saying to yourself  "was that it?"\n\n\nIf you are still feeling squeamish tomorrow, just don't watch while they are taking the blood.\n\n\n                     YOU'LL BE FINE!!\n\nHopefully, this answer helped a bit!!!
389063
THE Z-TRACK METHOD of I.M. injection prevents leakage of irritating and discoloring medications (such as iron dextran) into the subcutaneous tissue. It also may be used in elderly patients who have decreased muscle mass. Lateral displacement of the skin during the injection helps seal the drug in the muscle. \n\nWhen preparing to give a medication using this method, make sure the needle you're using is long enough to reach the muscle. As a rule, you'll need to use a 2-inch needle for a 200-lb (91-kg) patient, and a 1 1/4-inch to 1 1/2-inch needle for a 100-lb (45-kg) patient. \n\nGather the equipment you'll need, verify the order on the patient's medication administration record (MAR) by checking it against the prescriber's order, wash your hands, and follow these steps: \n\n* Attach one needle to the syringe and draw up the prescribed medication. Remove the first needle and attach the second to prevent tracking the medication through the subcutaneous tissue as you insert the needle. \n\n* Confirm the patient's identity, explain the procedure, and provide privacy. \n\n* Place the patient in the lateral position, exposing the gluteal muscle to be used as the injection site. \n\n* Put on gloves and displace the skin laterally by pulling it away from the injection site. (See Figure 1.) \n\n* Clean an area on the upper outer quadrant of the patient's buttocks with an alcohol pad and let it dry. \n\n* Insert the needle into the muscle at a 90-degree angle and aspirate for blood return. (See Figure 2.) If none appears, inject the drug slowly. If blood appears, withdraw the needle and start the procedure over with a new syringe and needle at a different site. \n\n* Wait 10 seconds, withdraw the needle slowly, and release the displaced skin and subcutaneous tissue to seal the needle track. (See Figure 3.) Don't massage the site or let the patient wear a tightfitting garment over it because that could force the medication into subcutaneous tissue. Encourage him to walk or move about in bed to facilitate absorption of the drug from the injection site. \n\n* Discard the needle and syringe in an appropriate sharps container. \n\n* Remove and discard your gloves. \n\nPractice pointers \n\n* Never inject more than 5 ml of solution into a single site. If the patient needs repeated injections, alternate gluteal sites. \n\n* Intramuscular injections can cause elevated serum enzyme levels. If measuring enzyme levels is important, suggest that the prescriber switch to LV. administration and adjust dosages accordingly.\n\n* Document the injection: Record the medication, dosage, date, time, and site on the patient's MAR. Include the patient's response to the injected drug.
952320
Hello i inject daily with Insulin and do not feel the pain at all. I inject once before each meal and then lastly before bed to inject with a long lasting insulin. So in total thats four times daily. The needles you use are now very small, and the smaller the better. The places you inject are where subcutaneous fat is, where he absorbs into the skin quite quickly. These places are located at the front of the thighs, around the lower half of your stomach below the belly button, or around the cheeks of your buttocks. You can also inject in the arm, near the biceps It is important to keep changing the places you inject, as small layer of fatty skin may develope in over injected sites but in all the years I have done it I have lucky to avoid it. I found nothing in the pain, but you will be given plenty of information before they allow you to do it for yourself and the common practice is for you to practice on a sponge ball. Diabetic nurses will look after you and soon you will think nothing of it. The fear is worse than the action so do not worry at all and good luck with your injections
1018431
Visit this link: -\n\nhttp://www.qldxray.com.au/patientinfo/barium_%20meal.html\n\nAlthough I'm surprised you've not been given this advice by your doctor or hospital/clinic in preparation for it.
350478
Most important--you get what you pay for. Don't skimp on a $10 Nursemates 'scope. You won't hear what your instructor is trying to "show" you, and you'll get frustrated. \n\nGet a Littman. They are worth it, and have great warranties/service.
789750
Registered Nurse here; First tell the person giving you the vaccination you are afraid, they should immediately reassure you, let you take your time, take a deep breath, vaccinations are actually given with a tiny needle, but I know they can still be uncomfortable.  Now you may think this rather odd, but I have used this technique, very successful in the past and present.  When I have a child, young adolescent, or teenage, or adult for that matter that is terrified.  I ask them If I can gently slap the site of the injection, if they agree, I give a gentle, firm, slap, followed immediately by the injection, I have yet to have a patient even tell me they felt the needle, nor have I ever had a patient to get upset with me.  I don't mean I slap the thunder out of them, just a gentle, firm, slap to the deltoids of the arm.
123163
couldnt help but see your name sweetie 16 theres no way I would let my 16 yr old daughter get her tongue pierced or any thing else pierced in less it was her ears. Or any age for that matter. Also when your in school you could get a bad rep people think things that are not always true . Besides that it is really  really painful. and could be something you regret. But with all that said it is your choice and the best thing I can say is suck up for about 2 weeks one isnt enough she will see right through it and wait tell shes in a good mood and have a talk with her as to why you want it. Hope this helps.
1053173
Well, an insulin needle is no different than the needles used by nurses to give kids their tetanus shots. It is specifically known as a hypodermic needle. \n\nGo to this link for an explanation!http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/msyringe.html\n\nIn case you cannot reach this link, here is the text:\n\n"The key to syringe making is forming the hollow tube, or cannula. Processes to make small tubes and hollow needles are quite old, and almost always begin by forming a large tube. This large tube is formed by either rolling a sheet of metal into a tube and welding the seam, or by taking a solid billet of metal and boring a hole through the center while the metal is heated (creating "seamless tubing").\n\nThis large tube is softened by heating it (called annealing), then drawn through a tool called a die--which in this application of the word is essentially a hardened piece of metal with a small hole. As the tube is drawn through the die it both stretches, increasing the tube length, and shrinks, decreasing the tube diameter. The tube is passed through smaller and smaller dies, continuing to stretch in length and shrink in diameter, until the desired size is reached. The last drawing through the die is often done without heat, therefore cold-working the tube to increase its strength and hardness. Sometimes a stiff piece of wire or a mandrel is placed inside the tube to prevent the walls from collapsing while it is being drawn, but often the process relies on incredibly consistent steel quality and high-tolerance equipment to manufacture cannulae that meet the specifications.\n\nBecton Dickinson, one of the largest manufacturers of syringes in the world, says it makes syringes using 3/4-inch-wide stainless steel rolled and welded into a 1/4-inch diameter tube, then heated, drawn, and finally cold-drawn to its final size. Some of those sizes are pretty small. \n\nThe tubes are straightened, cut to the proper length, cleaned, and then the tip or bevel is cut onto the end. The piercing end of the bevel, right on the very tip, is called the lancet or as I like to call it, the "&$#%@*"! Many different styles of lancet can be cut; which one is selected depends upon the application--to be blunt (no pun intended), what portion of your body it's designed to poke holes into. Contrary to popular belief, sharper is not always better--medical professionals rely on the slight resistance of the needle through the skin to ensure that it penetrates to the correct depth and doesn't go bouncing off a bone, into your brain, etc.\n\nAs to your last question, the simple answer is that the "stuff" is able to get through because it is small enough to get through. Needles certainly must be matched to the application--try pushing honey through a 32-gauge needle, and you're going to need a lot of force if you can do it at all. This is one of several reasons why most injectable drugs have a recommended needle and syringe size or size range."\n\nI hope this helps!
209686
Usually the longest needle used is 1 1/2". The longer needles are used for getting to an area that is farther below the skin, like a deep vein or such.\n\nAs far as needles for lumbar punctures or bone marrow testing, they are probably longer.\n\nAn amniocentesis needle can be anywhere from 4-6" long.