The skin, or integumentary system, is the body's largest organ. It protects us from the outside world, and is our first defense against bacteria, viruses and other pathogens. Our skin also helps regulate body temperature and eliminate waste through perspiration.
An insulin pump with a subcutaneous injection site. A subcutaneous injection is administered as a bolus into the subcutis, the layer of skin directly below the dermis and epidermis, collectively referred to as the cutis. Subcutaneous injections are highly effective in administering vaccines and medications such as insulin, morphine, diacetylmorphine and goserelin.
For regularly scheduled SubQ injections, rotate injection sites both within each location as well as among sites. Doing so prevents tissue damage from repeated injections at the same site. Do not administer more than 1 mL with a single SubQ injection. Use a 25- to 30-gauge, â- to â-inch needle. Determine the length of needle and the angle of injection from the patientâs body weight and the amount of subcutaneous tissue present.