Guide to Syringes & Needles
Type of Syringe Tip:
Regular/Slip Tip: The connection here is secured by slipping or pushing the device against the syringe to
sure the connection.
Lure-Lock Tip: This is screw type connection where a needle can be attached to the syringe.
Slip Tip: The connection here is secured by slipping or pushing the device against the syringe to sure the
connection.
Eccentric Tip: Used for surface veins or artery injections where the tip is off-centered.
Catheter Tip: Designed to be used with tubing or for irrigation and has a longer, tapered slip tip.
Needles:
1. Hub: The end of the needle that is attached to the syringe.
2. Shaft: The thin long stem of the needle.
3. Bevel: The shape of the lumen
4. Lumen: The hollow bore at the sharp end of the needle.
The bevel is the part of the needle that punctures the skin and
allows the shaft to enter. There are a few types of bevels
available where a longer bevel tip is narrower and sharper,
reducing the discomfort when the needle punctures the skin.
Guide to Syringes & Needles
The diameter of a needle gets smaller as the "gauge" of a needle increases. The thickness of a needle is not to be
determined by a patient’s comfort level rather depends on the medication that is to be administered. The thicker the
medication, the smaller the gauge must be to ensure the medication can easily pass through the needle into the
subject. One must choose a shorter needle if administering subcutaneous injection and a long needle will be optimal
for intramuscular injection.
Vascular Access Needle Gauge Recommendations (by the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy)
Gauge
Appropriate Use
Comments
16-18
IV infusion:
-In adults and adolescents
-Of viscous fluids and large volumes
-At rapid infusion rates
Large vessel required
Insertion may be painful
19-20
IV infusion:
Large vessel required
-In adults, adolescents, and older children Insertion may be painful
-Of blood products and other viscous fluids
IM injection
21
IV injection or infusion
-In most ages
IM injection
22-23
IV infusion
-In all ages including infants and elderly
-Of non-viscous fluids
-At slow to moderate infusion rates
IM injection
24-27
IV infusion
-In all ages including infants, toddlers, and
elderly
-Of non-viscous fluids
-At slow to moderate infusion rates
Subcutaneous (SC) injection
Intradermal (ID) injection (25-26 gauge)
Needle HUB:
Suitable for small or fragile veins
Infusion control devices may be required
Insertion through tough skin may be difficult
Especially useful for very small veins
Infusion control devices may be required
Insertion through touch skin may be difficult
Guide to Syringes & Needles
Needle Length:
3/8" to 3/4" needle for intradermal injection
7/8" to 1-1/2" needle for intramuscular injections
1/2" to 5/8" needle for subcutaneous injections (may be overlapped for use with intradermal injections as
well)
Intramuscular Injections are administered at a 90° angle and the following injection sites are recommended
for this type of injection:
•
•
•
Infants of less the 18 month - Vastus Lateralis Thigh Muscle.
Children between 18 months and 18 years
o Deltoid muscle (Arm)
o Vastus Lateralis Thigh Muscle
o ventrogluteal Site
Adults (Over 18 years)
o Deltoid Muscle (Arm)
o Vastus Lateralis Thigh Muscle
Subcutaneous injections are administered between 45° and 90° angles and the following injection sites are
recommended for this type of injection:
o
o
o
o
o
Anterolateral Thigh
Upper Outer Tricep
Upper Buttock
Abdomen
Avoid 2-2.5” radius around umbilicus
Intradermal Injections are administered between 10° and 15° angles and the following injection sites are
recommended for this type of injection:
o
o
o
Anterior Aspect of Forearm
Upper Chest
Upper Back
o
Back of Upper Arm