Title: Administer epinephrine injection.
Course: Medication Aide (14051-18) > Section: Examining Administration of Prepared Instillations and Treatments

Administration should include

- following the procedure for administering:
  - Unscrew the yellow or green cap and remove the EpiPen from its storage tube.
  - Grasp the pen with the black tip pointing down.
  - Form a fist around the unit with the black tip down, and with your other hand, pull off the gray safety release.
  - Hold the black tip near the client's outer thigh.
  - Swing and jab the pen firmly into the client's outer thigh until the pen clicks so that the unit is perpendicular (i.e., a 90º angle) to the thigh.
  - Hold firmly against the thigh for approximately 10 seconds—injection is complete; auto-injector will show red.
  - Remove the unit from the thigh and massage injection area for 10 seconds.
  - Call 911 and seek immediate medical attention.
  - Carefully place the used auto-injector needle-end first into the storage tube of the carrying case that provides a built-in needle protection after use.
  - Screw the cap of the storage tube back on completely and take it with the client to the hospital emergency room.

- knowledge of special instructions for the use of the EpiPen:
  - Never put your thumb, fingers, or hand over the black tip.
  - Do not remove the gray safety release until you are ready to use the pen
  - Do not use if the solution is discolored or a red flag appears in the clear window.
  - Do not place patient insert or any other foreign objects in carriers with the auto-injector as this may prevent removing the auto-injector for use.

- knowledge of care and storage of the EpiPen:
  - Keep available and ready for use at all times.
  - Store in a dark place at room temperature.
  - Do not refrigerate.
  - Note the expiration date; reorder a replacement pen before that date.

See VBON student handouts 4.1—4.2. Note: The auto-injector is designed to work through clothing.