This is a 5 mL syringe. Each line measures in 0.2 increments until it reaches a total capacity of 5 mL. Whether it’s a new experience or you’ve been using insulin injections for a while, it’s good to be familiar with the safest and most effective way to give yourself insulin shots. This is a 100 unit insulin syringe. Each line measures in 2 increments until it reaches a total capacity of 100 units. Your doctor will help you decide the right choice for you. They can also help you practice until you feel confident about giving your insulin dose.

This is a 3 mL syringe. Each line measures in 0.1 increments until it reaches a total capacity of 3 mL. Products and replacement parts for use with laboratory syringes; includes syringe caps, tubing, cleaning products, and replacement parts such as needles, barrels, and plungers.

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Therefore, I will be discussing how to read 5 different types of syringe you will encounter as a nurse, such as: It’s important to talk with your doctor if you have concerns about needles and giving yourself insulin shots. Barrel with a readable scale: this is where you will match up the top of the plunger seal (see image at the side) and the line on the scale with the amount of medication you need to administer. Most scales on the barrel are in mL (milliliters) or cc (cubic centimeters). If you are administering insulin you will use a syringe that measures in units. NOTE: always determine the capacity of your syringe because each syringe has different measurements on its scale..hence each line represents a different increment of measurement (more information on this below).

Tip: If you hear someone say give “10 cc” of this medication, cc is the same as mL. Therefore, 10 mL equals 10 cc. Reading a 10 mL Syringe There are also options other than syringes available depending on your dose, comfort, and cost factors. Insulin syringes are the least expensive of all the options for insulin delivery. This is a 10 mL syringe. Each line measures in 0.5 increments until it reaches a total capacity of 10 mL. General-purpose syringes comprise a barrel, a plunger, and a terminal fitting for needles or other attachments. Two-part syringes have an integral barrel and terminal fitting, with a separate plunger. Three-part syringes have a plunger fitted with a separate rubber piston at the end. Plastic general-purpose syringes are made from polypropylene or polyethylene and are often single-use and disposable. Syringes with glass barrels frequently have metal plungers and terminal fittings, so tend to offer better overall chemical resistance and durability. Adaptor: this is the area where you screw on a needle (if you were giving an intramuscular injection etc.) or onto the IV hub of the patient’s IV to give a medication.This is a 1 mL syringe. Each line measures in 0.01 increments until it reaches a total capacity of 1 mL. General-purpose syringes are used in many laboratories and other workplaces for drawing up and expelling liquids or suspensions. They are designed to fit appropriate needles, tubing, syringe filters, or similar devices, and are constructed of plastic, glass, or a combination of both. They may also have metal components.

Always dispose of used needles properly. Don’t dispose of needles in the regular trash. Visit SafeNeedleDisposal.org to learn more.