Word parts
What it means
Describes the fatty tissue just below the skin, and the route for injections given into it. Insulin, heparinHEP-uh-rinAn anticoagulant drug, given by injection or IV, that keeps blood clots from forming or growing.Full entry and many vaccines are given subcutaneously, usually in the belly, the back of the upper arm or the thigh, with a short, thin needle. Medicine given this way is absorbed more slowly than 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.
For the nurse
Rotate sites and stay about 5 cm (2 inches) away from the navel. Many subcutaneous injections are given at a 45- to 90-degree angle depending on how much tissue the client has. Do not rub the site after heparin, as it can cause bruising.
In a chart
"Enoxaparin 40 mg SUBQ, left abdomen."
At a glance
| Abbreviations | SUBQ (all capitals, the form ISMP recommends) or subcutaneous written out; SC, SQ, sq and sub q are on ISMP's error-prone list |
|---|---|
| Spanish | subcutáneo |
| Also written | SUBQ, SubQ, subcut, subcutaneously |
Related terms
insulin
A hormone made by the pancreas that lets the body's cells take in glucose, also made as a medicine.
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.
heparin
An anticoagulant drug, given by injection or IV, that keeps blood clots from forming or growing.