Needles are primarily used to inject medication under the skin.
Types of Needles and Their Uses
While the primary function of needles, as highlighted in the provided reference, is to inject medication, it's worth noting other instruments that are related and also have medical applications.
Instrument | Use |
---|---|
Hollow Needles | Injecting drugs (medication) under the skin. |
Syringes | Injecting medication into or withdrawing fluid from the body. |
Lancets | Getting drops of blood for testing (fingerstick devices). |
Key Uses of Needles
- Drug Administration: Hollow needles are vital for delivering medications directly into the body.
- Examples include insulin injections for diabetes, vaccines, and pain relief medications.
- Fluid Withdrawal: Syringes equipped with needles can be used to extract fluids for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
- Examples include drawing blood samples, aspirating fluid from joints, or removing excess fluid from the body.
- Diagnostic Procedures: While lancets are specifically designed for obtaining blood samples, some procedures might involve the use of needles.
Needles in Medical Practices
- Precise Delivery: Needles allow healthcare professionals to deliver medication to specific areas of the body, ensuring targeted action and efficacy.
- Rapid Absorption: Intramuscular and subcutaneous injections made with needles provide faster absorption compared to oral medications.
- Sterility: Medical-grade needles are designed to be sterile and disposable, minimizing the risk of infection.
In conclusion, the primary role of needles, as per the provided reference, is for injecting medications under the skin, while related instruments like syringes and lancets have their own unique purposes in the medical field.