How to Read Syringes

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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