What it means
The sharp part attached to a syringesuh-RINJA tube with a plunger, used to draw up liquid and push it out, often through a needle.Full entry or tubing for injections and blood draws. Needles are sized by gauge (the width) and length. A higher gauge number means a thinner needle: a 25-gauge needle is thinner than an 18-gauge. The length is chosen for the route, longer for an intramuscularin-truh-MUS-kyoo-lerInto a muscle; used for a drug given by injection into muscle tissue.intra- insidemuscul/o muscle-ar relating toFull entry injection and shorter for a subcutaneoussub-kyoo-TAY-nee-usUnder the skin; in the fatty layer between the skin and the muscle.sub- undercutane/o skin-ous relating toFull entry or intradermal one.
For the nurse
Never recap a used needle. Drop it right away into a sharps container, and use needles with safety devices. Report any needlestick injury at once, after washing the site with soap and water.
Remember it
Bigger gauge number, smaller needle.
At a glance
| Spanish | aguja |
|---|---|
| Also written | needles |
Related terms
subcutaneous
Under the skin; in the fatty layer between the skin and the muscle.
intramuscular
Into a muscle; used for a drug given by injection into muscle tissue.
syringe
A tube with a plunger, used to draw up liquid and push it out, often through a needle.
vial
A small glass or plastic bottle with a rubber stopper that holds a liquid or powdered drug for injection.
standard precautions
The basic infection-control practices used with every client, whether or not an infection is known.