1. How to Read Syringes

2. Reading Decimals
Review the image below on how whole number and fractions are read
This is imperative to learning to read and how to use syringes

3. 3 mL Syringe At the right is an image of a 3 mL syringe
Each of the smaller markings designates 0.1 mL
The arrow is pointing to the 0.8 ml marking

4. 0.5 mL Tuberculosis (TB) Syringe
At the right is an image of a 0.5 mL syringe
Each of the markings represents 0.01
The arrow is pointing at the 0.43 mL marking

5. 20 mL Syringe At the right is an image of a 20 mL syringe
Each of the smaller markings represent 1 mL
Each of the larger markings represent 5 mLs

6. Insulin Syringe Below is an image of an insulin syringe
Each of the smaller markings represent 1 unit of insulin
Each of the larger markings represent 5 units of insulin

7. Insulin vs. TB Syringes
TB and Insulin syringes ARE NOT interchangeable
The TB syringe is used to draw up a specific liquid volume
TB syringes can measure either up to 0.5 mL or 1 mL depending the size of the syringe
The Insulin syringe CAN ONLY BE USED FOR INSULIN
Insulin is measured in Units not mLs
Other medications are measured in units however you will learn that these medications are given in mLs unlike Insulin which is only given in Units not mLs

8. Insulin Syringes
At the right are images of 2 different types of Insulin syringes
NOTE: Both of these syringes are for U-100 Insulin; this is means that you must U-100 Insulin for the unit measurement to be correct
The difference is the capacity of the syringe
If you need to give more than 50 units then select the syringe that could hold more than 50 units
If you need to give 50 units or less then select the 50 unit syringe

9. Insulin Syringes
The image at the right represents 8 Units of insulin in an Insulin syringe
Each of the small markings represents 1 unit of Insulin

10. Insulin Syringes
The image at the right represents 52 Units of insulin in an Insulin syringe
Each of the small markings represent 2 units of insulin

11. Reading the Amount of Medication 3 mL Syringe
Look at the image to the right
The top rubber plunger is what needs to be lined up with the marking on the barrel of the syringe
If the rubber plunger is not flat i.e.: forms a peak in the middle of the rubber plunger; you read where the rubber actually touches the barrel of the syringe not where the level of the peak may be
The medication amount in this syringe is 0.7 mL

12. Reading the Amount of Medication 10 mL Syringe
The image at the right shows a 10 mL syringe containing 4.6 mL of medication
Each large marking represents 1 mL
Each small marking represents 0.2 mL

13. Reading the Amount of Medication 0.5 mL Syringe
The image at the right shows a 0.5 mL syringe containing 0.06 mL of medication
Each large marking represents 0.05 mL
Each small marking represents 0.01 mL

14. Reading the Amount of Medication 5 mL Syringe
The image at the right shows a 5 mL syringe containing 4.8 mL of medication
Each large marking represents 1 mL
Each small marking represents 0.2 mL