What you need to know:
When you use a 5ml oral syringe, it is the same as using 1 teaspoon. If a medicine or prescription instruction tells you to use 1/2 a teaspoon, you can give 2.5mL as this is the same measurement. So, if you are given a teaspoon or a cup with medicine, you can use our 5ml syringe to replace the spoon or the cup.
Reading the increment markings on a 5ml purple oral syringe is a simple process that can be done with attention to detail. The first step is to understand the basic structure of an oral syringe.
The syringe has a clear barrel, which is the long cylinder that holds the liquid, and a purple plunger, which is the rod used to push the liquid out of the barrel. The increment markings on a 5ml purple oral syringe barrel are in millilitres (ml). The syringe barrel indicates 1ml, 2ml, 3ml, 4ml and 5ml. In between each of these millilitre markings are four smaller markings; these each represent 0.2ml. On the precision oral syringe barrel, there is also a mark for 2.5ml or half a teaspoon.
They are on the side of the barrel (see the image). To read the increment markings, you will need to look at the top of the plunger and align it with the desired marking on the barrel. The top of the plunger should be level with the marking, indicating the exact amount of liquid that is in the syringe.
The increment markings on our precision 5ml purple oral syringe are very easy to read. They are large, bold, and printed in black to make them stand out. In addition, our 5ml precision oral syringe has a marking showing 2.5ml. These are located on the side of the barrel, making them easy to see and read even in low-light conditions.
How to fill an oral syringe
It’s important to note that you should always read the increment markings from the top of the plunger, as the plunger controls the amount of liquid in the syringe. You may have an inaccurate measurement if you read the markings from the bottom of the plunger.
- Place the tip of the syringe into the medicine
- Hold the barrel and pull the plunger back to the 5ml
- If there is air in the barrel, you will need to gently push the plunger back up the barrel until the air has been squeezed out. If you do not have enough medicine in the barrel, then squeeze all of it back into the medicine bottle, and try again.
- If you have filled the syringe correctly but need a smaller dose, carefully press the plunger to the millilitre dose of medicine you require.
- Place the oral syringe into the mouth of the patient, and make sure the tip is gently touching the inside of the cheek.
- Slowly press the plunger to give the medicine, and be careful not to push too fast as this may result in the medicine going down the wrong way, causing choking or coughing.
Understand & use a 5ml oral syringe
First of all we need to make you aware that oral syringes are called different things but are the same. As the infographic on this page shows, an oral syringe can also be known as:
- Medicine Syringe
- Dosing Syringe
- Measuring Syringe
- Graduated Syringe
- Specials Oral Syringe
- Calpol© Syringe
- Enteral Syringe
- Oral Dosing Syringe
- Mouth Syringe
When looking at the 5ml oral syringe, you should also be aware of the graduations (also known as gradations) of the syringe. Gradations are the small lines we mentioned earlier between the millilitre markings; these lines represent smaller measurements, 0.2ml, between the primary markings; this will allow you to measure more precise amounts of liquid, especially when working with small amounts of liquid.
It’s also important to remember that when using an oral syringe, you should always use the syringe for oral use only. Not only is this important for hygiene and safety, but it also ensures that the syringe will remain accurate over time.
In conclusion, reading the increment markings on a 5ml purple oral syringe is a simple process that can be done with a little bit of attention to detail. Understanding the basic structure of the syringe, how to read the markings, and the gradations will allow you to accurately measure the amount of liquid in the syringe and ensure that you are using the syringe properly.
Please note that this post is general advice and should not be considered medical instruction. If you have any doubt about using an oral syringe, then please contact your local health service provider.
Always clean the syringe before and after use, and avoid using the oral syringe for any other purpose.