Why 5 mL Capacity with Luer Slip Connection for Universal Clinical Applications

The 5 mL barrel capacity represents the optimal size for the vast majority of routine medication administration scenarios encountered in clinical practice—large enough to accommodate standard drug doses ranging from antibiotic injections to vaccine preparations, IV flush volumes, and reconstituted medications, while remaining compact enough for comfortable single-handed operation and precise plunger control during careful dose delivery, making this capacity the most frequently specified syringe size across hospital formularies, outpatient clinics, and emergency departments where versatility across diverse medication types and patient populations determines supply standardization. The Luer Slip tapered tip connection provides the universal interface that enables rapid needle attachment through simple push-on friction fit without requiring the rotational threading motion needed for Luer Lock connections—critical for emergency situations where seconds matter during medication preparation, high-volume vaccination clinics where workflow speed directly impacts patient throughput, and any clinical setting where the needle attachment step occurs hundreds of times daily and elimination of the twist-to-lock motion translates to meaningful time savings and reduced hand strain for healthcare workers. The latex-free construction eliminates the type I hypersensitivity reactions that can range from contact dermatitis in healthcare workers handling thousands of syringes to potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis in sensitized patients receiving medications through latex-containing devices, addressing the growing prevalence of latex allergies in healthcare populations and meeting regulatory guidance recommending latex-free medical devices as standard practice rather than special accommodation.

Key Features & Benefits

Key Features:

• 5 mL (5 cc) barrel capacity
• Luer Slip (Luer Taper) connection tip
• Clear transparent polypropylene barrel
• Bold graduation markings (typically 0.2 mL increments)
• Smooth-gliding plunger for controlled delivery
• Latex-free plunger and barrel
• Sterile, individually packaged
• Single-use, disposable design
• Without attached needle (sold separately)
• Positive plunger stop prevents accidental removal
• Retaining ring secures plunger in barrel
• Medical-grade materials
• Pyrogen-free
• Non-toxic
• Meets USP and ISO quality standards
• Manufactured by Terumo Medical Corporation

Benefits:

• 5 mL size appropriate for most medication doses
• Versatile capacity for diverse clinical applications
• Luer Slip enables quick, easy needle attachment
• Push-on connection faster than Luer Lock threading
• Compatible with all Luer Slip needles
• Clear barrel allows dose verification and air bubble detection
• Bold markings improve measurement accuracy
• Smooth plunger enables precise, controlled injection
• Latex-free protects sensitive patients and healthcare workers
• Sterile packaging ensures infection control
• Single-use prevents cross-contamination
• Positive stop prevents dose errors from plunger removal
• Cost-effective for routine clinical use
• Trusted Terumo quality and reliability

Clinical Applications

Terumo 5 mL Luer Slip Syringes are appropriate for:

✓ Intramuscular medication injection ✓ Subcutaneous medication injection ✓ Intravenous push medication delivery ✓ Drawing medications from vials ✓ Medication reconstitution ✓ Vaccine administration ✓ Antibiotic administration ✓ IV line flushing with saline ✓ Local anesthetic administration ✓ Contrast media injection ✓ Feeding tube medication administration ✓ Wound irrigation ✓ Catheter flushing ✓ Blood sample collection (with appropriate needle) ✓ Laboratory specimen preparation ✓ Aspiration of small fluid collections ✓ Pediatric medication administration ✓ Emergency medication delivery

Usage & Application

IMPORTANT: Syringes should be used by trained healthcare professionals or patients/caregivers specifically instructed by healthcare providers.

Pre-Use Inspection:

1. Check package integrity:
   • Verify sealed package intact
   • Check for damage or punctures
   • Discard if package compromised
2. Inspect syringe:
   • Check expiration date
   • Verify 5 mL capacity
   • Ensure barrel clear with readable markings
   • Check plunger moves smoothly
   • Verify Luer Slip tip undamaged
   • Discard if any defects
3. Verify appropriate use:
   • Confirm medication and dose
   • Check patient allergies
   • Ensure Luer Slip compatible with selected needle

Opening Package:

1. Peel open sterile package:
   • Open carefully
   • Do NOT touch syringe tip
   • Do NOT touch plunger tip
2. Remove syringe:
   • Hold by barrel
   • Maintain sterility of tip

Attaching Needle:

1. Select appropriate needle:
   • Verify Luer Slip compatible
   • Luer Slip needles have smooth tapered hub (no threads)
   • Choose gauge and length per procedure
2. Attach needle to syringe:
   • Remove tip cap from syringe (if present)
   • Hold syringe barrel firmly
   • Align needle hub with syringe tip
   • Push needle straight onto tip with firm pressure
   • Push until fully seated (should feel secure)
   • Do NOT twist (Luer Slip is friction fit, not threaded)
3. Verify secure attachment:
   • Gentle tug test to ensure needle won't separate
   • If loose, remove and try different needle
   • Important: Luer Slip relies on friction—ensure tight fit
4. Remove needle shield:
   • Pull straight off
   • Do NOT touch needle

Drawing Medication from Vial:

1. Prepare vial:
   • Check medication name, concentration, expiration
   • Remove cap
   • Clean rubber stopper with alcohol swab
   • Allow to dry
2. Draw air into syringe:
   • Pull plunger back to draw air equal to medication volume
   • Air equalizes vial pressure
3. Insert needle into vial:
   • Hold vial on flat surface
   • Insert needle through rubber stopper
   • Ensure Luer Slip connection secure during insertion
   • Push plunger to inject air into vial
4. Invert vial and withdraw medication:
   • Turn vial upside down
   • Keep needle tip below fluid level
   • Pull plunger slowly to withdraw medication
   • Draw slightly more than needed (for air removal)
5. Remove air bubbles:
   • Hold syringe vertical with needle up
   • Tap barrel to float bubbles to top
   • Push plunger gently to expel air
   • Adjust to exact dose
6. Verify dose:
   • Hold at eye level
   • Read at top of plunger (black rubber)
   • Should align with prescribed dose
7. Remove needle from vial:
   • Pull straight out
   • Check Luer Slip connection still secure

Administering Injection:

Intramuscular:

1. Select site (deltoid, vastus lateralis, ventrogluteal)
2. Clean with alcohol, allow to dry
3. Stretch skin taut
4. Insert at 90-degree angle
5. Aspirate per protocol
6. Inject slowly and steadily
7. Withdraw and apply pressure

Subcutaneous:

1. Select site (abdomen, thigh, upper arm)
2. Clean with alcohol, allow to dry
3. Pinch skin (if needed)
4. Insert at 45-90 degree angle
5. Inject slowly
6. Count 5-10 after injection
7. Withdraw and do NOT rub

IV Push:

1. Clean IV port with alcohol (15 seconds)
2. Attach Luer Slip syringe to IV port:
   • Push firmly onto port
   • Verify secure connection
   • Monitor during injection (Luer Slip can disconnect if not careful)
3. Inject per protocol
4. Flush after medication

IV Line Flushing:

1. Attach flush syringe:
   • Clean IV hub with alcohol
   • Push Luer Slip tip firmly onto hub
   • Ensure secure connection
2. Flush:
   • Inject saline slowly
   • Use push-pause technique
   • Typically 3-10 mL depending on catheter
   • Maintain positive pressure while disconnecting
3. Monitor connection:
   • Luer Slip can separate if pulled
   • Hold syringe and hub together during flush

Post-Use Care:

1. Dispose immediately:
   • Do NOT recap needle (if attached)
   • Place entire syringe with needle in sharps container
   • Never reuse syringes
2. If needle separate:
   • Place needle in sharps
   • Syringe can go in regular medical waste (check facility protocol)
3. Remove gloves and hand hygiene
4. Document:
   • Medication, dose, route, site, time
   • Patient tolerance

Reading Graduations:

1. Hold at eye level:
   • Horizontal position
   • Clear view of markings
2. Read at plunger tip:
   • Read at top of black rubber plunger
   • NOT at top of plunger rod
3. Understand markings:
   • Typically 0.2 mL increments
   • Bold lines every 0.5 or 1 mL
   • Numbers marked at 1 mL intervals
4. Verify dose:
   • Double-check reading
   • Have second person verify high-alert medications

Troubleshooting:

Needle won't attach:

• Verify both Luer Slip (not Luer Lock)
• Check syringe tip and needle hub not damaged
• Ensure proper alignment
• Apply firmer pressure

Needle loose or separates:

• Common issue with Luer Slip
• Ensure needle fully seated when attaching
• Push firmly during attachment
• Consider Luer Lock syringe for:
  • High-pressure applications
  • IV push medications
  • Procedures where disconnection dangerous

Plunger difficult to move:

• May be defective—discard
• Do NOT force

Air bubbles won't come out:

• Tap barrel more firmly
• Hold vertical with needle up
• Flick barrel with finger
• Push slowly to expel

Medication leaking:

• Check Luer Slip connection tight
• Needle may not be fully seated
• Push needle more firmly onto tip

Cannot draw dose accurately:

• Use better lighting
• Reading glasses if needed
• Have another person verify
• Consider syringe with larger markings

Special Considerations:

Pediatric patients:

• 5 mL appropriate for many pediatric doses
• Precise measurement critical for weight-based dosing
• May need smaller syringe for very small doses
• Verify dose with second person

Geriatric patients:

• 5 mL easy to handle
• Bold markings help with vision difficulties
• May need assistance with dose measurement
• Check dexterity for self-administration

High-alert medications:

• Double-check dose measurement
• Independent verification by second person
• Consider using smaller syringe for better precision
• Follow facility high-alert protocols

IV push medications:

• Luer Slip can disconnect during IV push
• Hold syringe and IV hub together
• OR consider Luer Lock syringe for better security
• Monitor connection throughout injection

Home healthcare:

• Teach proper technique
• Demonstrate dose measurement
• Provide written instructions
• Ensure adequate syringe supply
• Teach safe disposal

Infection Control:

• Aseptic technique throughout
• Never reuse syringes
• Never share between patients
• Use new syringe for each medication
• Maintain sterility of tip and plunger

Luer Slip vs. Luer Lock:

Luer Slip advantages:

• Faster attachment (no threading)
• Easier, quicker for routine procedures
• Less hand strain (no twisting)
• Good for high-volume tasks (vaccinations)

Luer Slip disadvantages:

• Can disconnect accidentally
• Less secure than Luer Lock
• Not ideal for high-pressure applications
• Requires careful monitoring during use

When Luer Slip appropriate:

• Routine IM/SubQ injections
• Medication drawing from vials
• Low-pressure applications
• High-volume vaccination clinics
• Procedures where disconnection unlikely

When Luer Lock preferred:

• IV push medications
• High-pressure injections
• Procedures where disconnection dangerous
• Contrast media injection
• Arterial blood gas sampling

Advantages of 5 mL Size:

vs. 3 mL:

• Can accommodate larger doses
• Better for reconstitution
• More versatile

vs. 10 mL:

• More precise for smaller doses
• Easier to handle
• Better control for careful injection

Storage:

• Store at room temperature
• Keep in original packaging until use
• Protect from damage
• Check expiration dates
• Rotate stock using FIFO
• Typical shelf life 5 years

When to Contact Provider:

• Questions about dose measurement
• Unable to give injection properly
• Medication reaction occurs
• Injection site complications
• Concerns about technique

Technical Specifications

Product Details:

• Manufacturer: Terumo Medical Corporation
• Product Type: Sterile disposable syringe without needle
• Capacity: 5 mL (5 cc)
• Tip Type: Luer Slip (Luer Taper)
• Barrel Material: Clear medical-grade polypropylene
• Barrel Transparency: Transparent for dose visualization
• Graduation Markings: Bold, permanent markings (typically 0.2 mL increments)
• Graduation Accuracy: ±5% (meets standards)
• Plunger Material: Latex-free elastomer
• Plunger Design: Smooth-gliding with positive stop
• Retaining Ring: Prevents accidental plunger removal
• Latex Content: Latex-free (no natural rubber latex)
• Pyrogen Content: Non-pyrogenic
• Sterility: Sterile until opened
• Sterilization Method: Ethylene oxide (EtO) or gamma radiation
• Needle Included: No (sold separately)
• Packaging: Individually packaged in peel-open pouches
• Shelf Life: Typically 5 years
• Storage: Room temperature 15-30°C (59-86°F), dry conditions
• Intended Use: Medication administration, fluid aspiration, injection
• Routes: IM, SubQ, IV (with appropriate technique)
• Patient Population: All ages
• Regulatory Status: FDA-cleared medical device, Class II
• Standards Compliance:
  • ISO 7886-1 (sterile hypodermic syringes)
  • ISO 594 (Luer taper connections)
  • USP standards