What it means
A way to give small amounts of medicine, usually 1 mL or less, into the fatty tissue between the skin and the muscle, where it is absorbed slowly. insulinIN-suh-linA hormone made by the pancreas that lets the body's cells take in glucose, also made as a medicine.Full entry , heparinHEP-uh-rinAn anticoagulant drug, given by injection or IV, that keeps blood clots from forming or growing.Full entry , enoxaparinee-nok-suh-PAIR-inA low-molecular-weight heparin, injected under the skin, that prevents and treats blood clots.Full entry and many vaccines are given this way. Common sites are the abdomen at least 2 inches from the navel, the back of the upper arm and the front of the thigh. A short, thin needle is used at a 45- or 90-degree angle, depending on the needle length and how much fat the client has.
For the nurse
Rotate sites to prevent lumps of fat tissue. Do not aspirate, and do not rub the site after heparin or enoxaparin, which can cause bruising.
At a glance
| Abbreviations | SUBQ (ISMP's choice); not SC or SQ |
|---|---|
| Also written | subcutaneous injections, subcut injection, SUBQ injection |
Related terms
insulin
A hormone made by the pancreas that lets the body's cells take in glucose, also made as a medicine.
heparin
An anticoagulant drug, given by injection or IV, that keeps blood clots from forming or growing.
intramuscular injection
An injection that puts medicine deep into a muscle.
SQ
An abbreviation for subcutaneous (under the skin) that ISMP lists as error-prone; ISMP advises SUBQ instead.