Operational Medicine 2001
Morphine Injectors

Morphine injectors come in a variety of sizes and shapes.

Shown here are auto injectors containing 20 mg of morphine sulfate in 1 ml of water. 

Morphine is a narcotic used to relieve severe pain. It blocks much of the pain but also has a calming effect. It should not be used for minor pain.

While morphine is a powerful pain reliever, it can depress respirations. This isn't a problem for those in severe pain, as the pain itself blocks the respiratory depression effect of the morphine. For those in lesser amounts of pain, respiratory rate should be monitored periodically.

To operate (video):

• If possible, cleanse the skin of the injection site (upper outside thigh, upper outer quadrant of the buttock) with alcohol. If alcohol is not available, use any available cleaning agent (water is ok). 
• Remove the red safety plug from the injector.
• Place the yellow end of the injector against the skin of the injection site.
• Depress the black firing plunger.
• This action causes a release of gas within the injector that drives the hypodermic needle through the yellow protective cap and about an inch into the muscle. It also pushes 1 ml of fluid, containing 20 mg of morphine, through the needle and into the muscle tissue.

Make a note on the field medical triage card (DD 1380) of the time the injection was given.

Victims treated with morphine will usually demonstrate "pin-point" pupils.

It can be repeated every 4 hours as needed for control of pain. Repeat dosing should be done only with great caution (if at all) if the respiratory rate is less than 10 breaths per minute).

Additional information on Morphine

Weight: 0.02 pounds

Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited.

The listing of any non-Federal product in this CD is not an endorsement of the product itself, but simply an acknowledgement of the source. 

Operational Medicine 2001
Health Care in Military Settings

Home  ·  Military Medicine  ·  Sick Call  ·  Basic Exams  ·  Medical Procedures  ·  Lab and X-ray  ·  The Pharmacy  ·  The Library  ·  Equipment  ·  Patient Transport  ·  Medical Force Protection  ·  Operational Safety  ·  Operational Settings  ·  Special Operations  ·  Humanitarian Missions  ·  Instructions/Orders  ·  Other Agencies  ·  Video Gallery  ·  Phone Consultation  ·  Forms  ·  Web Links  ·  Acknowledgements  ·  Help  ·  Feedback

*This web version is provided by The Brookside Associates Medical Education Division.  It contains original contents from the official US Navy NAVMED P-5139, but has been reformatted for web access and includes advertising and links that were not present in the original version. This web version has not been approved by the Department of the Navy or the Department of Defense. The presence of any advertising on these pages does not constitute an endorsement of that product or service by either the US Department of Defense or the Brookside Associates. The Brookside Associates is a private organization, not affiliated with the United States Department of Defense.

Contact Us  ·  ·  Other Brookside Products