Steps on How to Give an IM Injection
- Perform hand hygiene and don gloves.
- Select the best site to administer the intramuscular injection. ...
- Use an alcohol pad to prepare the injection site by cleaning in the center and working outward. ...
- Before penetrating the muscle with the needle, perform the z-track technique.
How do I administer an intramuscular injection?
- Gently push on the plunger until all the medicine is injected.
- Take the needle and syringe out. Cover the site with gauze.
- Gently massage the injection site.
- Do not recap the needle. Instead, use the safety cover right away. ...
Do you massage after an IM injection?
Doing a massage of the site after an injection can cause the drug to back up through the subcutaneous tissue, so any type of massage is to be avoided with intramuscular injections. Click to see full answer. Also know, do you pinch skin when giving im injection?
How to give yourself intramuscular (IM) injections?
To give an IM injection:
- Make sure you have the right amount of the right medicine in the syringe.
- Wash your hands well with soap and water. ...
- Carefully find the spot where you will give the injection.
- Clean the skin at that spot with an alcohol wipe. ...
- Take the cap off the needle.
- Hold the muscle around the spot with your thumb and index finger.
How to administer intramuscular (IM) injections?
You will need:
- One alcohol wipe
- One sterile 2 x 2 gauze pad
- A new needle and syringe -- the needle needs to be long enough to get deep into the muscle
- A cotton ball
Do you pinch the skin for IM injection?
Insert needle at an 45o angle to the skin. Pinch up on SQ tissue to prevent injecting into muscle. Aspiration before injection is not required.
How do you give an intramuscular injection in the arm?
Give in the central and thickest portion of the deltoid muscle – above the level of the armpit and approximately 2–3 fingerbreadths (~2") below the acromion process. See the diagram. To avoid causing an injury, do not inject too high (near the acromion process) or too low. thrust.
How far do you insert an IM needle?
large, rounded, triangular shape. Find the acromion process, which is the bony point at the end of the shoulder. The injection site will be approximately 2 inches below the bone and above the axillary fold/armpit.
Do you put the needle all the way in for IM injection?
Place the syringe at a 90-degree angle to the shot site. The needle should stand straight up from the skin. Quickly jab the needle all the way into the skin.
Do you pinch the deltoid for IM injection?
Do you pinch the skin when giving a deltoid IM injection? No, you should not pinch the skin if you are giving a deltoid IM injection because this may mean you inject the syringe contents into the subcutaneous tissue rather than the muscle.
Do you draw back when giving an IM injection?
It is common practice to draw back on a syringe after the needle is inserted to check whether it is in a blood vessel. While it is important to aspirate if the DG muscle site is used – because of proximity to the gluteal artery – it is not required for other IM injection sites (PHE, 2013; Malkin, 2008).
How do you know if you hit a nerve when injecting?
Other injection site events If a nerve is hit, the patient will feel an immediate burning pain, which can result in paralysis or neuropathy that does not always resolve.
How do I find IM injection sites?
1:525:08Intramuscular (IM) Injection: Sites - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFor persons 3 years of age and older the deltoid muscle is the recommended site for i''m injections.MoreFor persons 3 years of age and older the deltoid muscle is the recommended site for i''m injections. This muscle is located in the upper arm.
What is best practice for IM injections?
Intramuscular injections are administered at a 90-degree angle to the skin, preferably into the anterolateral aspect of the thigh or the deltoid muscle of the upper arm, depending on the age of the patient (Table 6-2). The needle gauge for intramuscular injection is 22-25 gauge.
When giving a shot does the bevel go up or down?
In terms of the technical aspect, you want the needle bevel up, which … all right, I'm going to draw you a picture. Needles are shaped like this. That's the bevel. That's what you want the needle to look like when it goes in.
What happens if you hit a blood vessel during an IM injection?
You may feel pain and stiffness in the muscle. When a blood vessel breaks, scar tissue or blood clots can form and if a blood clot starts to wander and reaches the heart or lungs, the consequences can be life-threatening. Injections that hit an artery can be particularly dangerous.
Do you aspirate IM injections?
Although aspiration prior to intramuscular injection was standard practice until a few years ago, it is no longer recommended by the World Health Organisation and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
How do you know if you hit a nerve when injecting?
Other injection site events If a nerve is hit, the patient will feel an immediate burning pain, which can result in paralysis or neuropathy that does not always resolve.
How do you give an intramuscular injection painlessly?
There are some tips that can make giving an injection less painful:Allow the medicine to come to room temperature (but do not heat it).Always use a new needle. Used ones are not only unsterile but can be blunt.Position the needle at 90 degrees to the injection site.Stick the needle in quickly.
What is best practice for IM injections?
Intramuscular injections are administered at a 90-degree angle to the skin, preferably into the anterolateral aspect of the thigh or the deltoid muscle of the upper arm, depending on the age of the patient (Table 6-2). The needle gauge for intramuscular injection is 22-25 gauge.
What are the four IM injection sites?
Summary. There are four sites on your body that can be used to give yourself an intramuscular injection. These include the upper arm, thigh, hip, and buttocks.
What Is An Intramuscular Injection?
An intramuscular (IM) injection is a shot of medicine given into a muscle. Certain medicines need to be given into the muscle for them to work corr...
What Should I Know About The syringe?
There are 3 parts to a syringe: the needle, the barrel, and the plunger. The needle goes into your muscle. The barrel holds the medicine and has ma...
Where Can I Give An Intramuscular Injection?
1. Thigh: Look at your thigh and divide it into 3 equal parts. The middle third is where the injection will go. The thigh is a good place to give y...
How Do I Choose The Best Place For An Intramuscular Injection?
1. Keep track of where the injections are given: Make a list of the sites you use. Write down the date, time, and the site each time you give an in...
What Items Do I Need to Give An Injection?
1. One alcohol wipe 2. One sterile 2 x 2 gauze pad 3. A new needle and syringe that are the correct size 4. Disposable gloves, if you have them
How Do I Give An Intramuscular Injection?
Wash your hands with soap and dry them completely. Put on gloves if necessary. 1. Open the alcohol wipe: Wipe the area where you plan to give the i...
How Do I Get Rid of Used Syringes and Needles?
It is important to dispose of your needles and syringes correctly. Do not throw needles into the trash. You may receive a hard plastic container ma...
When Should I Contact My Healthcare Provider?
1. A fever, sneezing, or coughing develops after the injection. 2. There is a lump, swelling, or bruising where the injection was given that does n...
When Should I Seek Immediate Care Or Call 911?
1. A rash or itching develops after the injection is given. 2. Shortness of breath develops after the injection is given. 3. The mouth, lips, or fa...
How to give an IM injection?
Expand Section. To give an IM injection: Make sure you have the right amount of the right medicine in the syringe. Wash your hands well with soap and water. Dry them. Carefully find the spot where you will give the injection.
What is an IM injection?
Some medicines need to be given into a muscle to work correctly. An IM injection is a shot of medicine given into a muscle (intramuscular).
What to use for needles and syringes?
If you do not get a hard plastic container for used syringes and needles, you may use a milk jug or coffee can with a lid. The opening has to fit the syringe, and the container needs to be strong enough so a needle cannot break through. Ask your provider or pharmacist how to get rid of this container safely.
What happens after a syringe injection?
After getting the injection, the person gets a fever or gets sick.
How to feel the edge of a bone at the tips of your first finger?
Pull your first (index) finger away from the other fingers, forming a V. You may feel the edge of a bone at the tips of your first finger.
Where to put injections in buttocks?
These two lines form a box divided into 4 parts. Put the injection in the upper outer part of the buttocks, below the curved bone.
Where to put injections in the middle of the thigh?
Put the injection in the middle of the thigh. Hip: The hip is a good place to give an injection to adults and children older than 7 months. Have the person lie on the side. Put the heel of your hand where the thigh meets the buttocks.
How to give an intramuscular injection?
Before you give an intramuscular injection, wash your hands with soap and warm water and sanitize the area with an alcohol swab to prevent infection. Next, remove the cap and carefully insert the needle perpendicular to the skin. Then, pull back the plunger a little and inject the medication slowly. After you’ve made the injection, pull the needle out at the same angle you inserted it, and press on the injection site with a small piece of gauze to prevent bleeding. Finally, make sure to dispose of the needle properly in a special needle recepta cle. To learn how to talk to your patient and calm them down before giving an injection, read more from our Nurse co-author!
What to do if you see red blood when you pull back?
The medication is designed to be injected into a muscle and not into the bloodstream, so if you see any red color when you pull back you will need to remove the needle and dispose of it. Prepare a new needle and choose a different injection site — don't try to give the shot in the same place.
How to avoid air bubbles in an injection?
As long as you are not injecting into an artery, then a small amount of air can be taken up by the tissues safely. However, avoiding air bubbles when giving an injection is best, so take all of the bubbles out before giving the injection. To do this, pull back on the syringe to release air. You can also try putting more solution than you need into the syringe and discarding some of it, this will help to release the air.
What is the Z track method?
Understand the advantages of the Z-track method. When administering an IM injection, the penetrative action of the needle creates a narrow channel, or track, within the tissues. It may be possible for the medication to leak out of the body through this track.
How to give a bone injection?
Insert the needle into the specific location. Start by removing the cap, and then insert it smoothly at an angle of 90 degrees to the skin. If you are just learning to give the injection, do not go too quickly, as you want to ensure you do not push the needle in too far and hit the bone. [10]
How to sanitize a muscle injection?
Sanitize the area with an alcohol swab. Prior to performing the injection, it is important that the patch of skin over the muscle where the injection will take place is sterilized and clean. Again, this minimizes the chances of an infection following the injection.
Why do you need to learn to give an IM injection?
Learning to give an intramuscular (IM) injection may become a necessity if you, or a family member, suffer from an illness that requires injections of medication. The doctor will make this decision as they provide medical care and the doctor or nurse will explain to the caregiver how to give an intramuscular injection.
What is the best site for ery small injections?
The thigh is also a good site for children under the age of three, whose arms may not be large enough to support an injection.ery small. Hip: The side hip area also offers a good injection site.
How to stop bleeding from a needle?
Injecting the medicine slowly can reduce pain. Remove the needle at the same angle you inserted it. Cover the injection site with gauze to stop any bleeding that may occur. Dispose of the used needles in a sharps container or other safe receptacle.
What happens if blood enters the tube?
If blood enters the tube, you’ve hit a vessel and must remove the needle immediately without injecting the medication. If this happens, dispose of the needle and syringe and prepare a new injection on the other side. If no blood appears, press down on the plunger to inject the medicine.
Why do you rotate your injection site?
For patients receiving multiple injections, you should rotate these sites to avoid irritating and scarring the tissue. Avoid giving injections in areas that are already bruised, tender, swollen or scarred as the injection can aggravate it further.
Why is it important to palpate the muscle before giving an injection?
Selecting the best site is important to prevent injury and proper absorption of the medication. Large muscle sites with little fatty tissue are the best sites for intramuscular injections. Palpate the muscle prior to administering an injection to ensure the muscle is able to support the medicine to be administered.
What is an IM in nursing?
One of the many procedures that nurses perform is the intramuscular injection (IM). The process can be very painful if not conducted in the proper manner. Serious medical issues can arise if intramuscular (IM) injections are not performed correctly.
What gauge needles are used for intramuscular injections?
Intramuscular injections can be performed using 18-23 gauge needles. For viscous and large amounts of medication be sure to use larger needles.
How many sites are there for intramuscular injections?
There are 3 sites that are perfect for intramuscular injections. The best locations to administer intramuscular injections are the:
What to use to secure a site?
Secure the site with a band-aid or gauze and tape.
Where to inject a drug in adults?
The deltoid muscle is usually the best site to administer injections in adults, but medications with volumes greater than 2 ml should be injected in a large muscle groups like the ventrogluteal. Use an alcohol pad to prepare the injection site by cleaning in the center and working outward.
Can intramuscular injections be used for fast acting medications?
Intramuscular injections are provided for patients who need fast acting medications ad ministered to them.
How long to put pressure on a needle?
Place an alcohol swab or gauze at the injection site and put pressure on the site for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Throw away the needle and syringe in the Sharps container. Do not recap the needle!
How to remove air bubbles from a needle?
Check for air bubbles in the syringe. Bubbles can be removed by flicking the syringe with your finger. If the air bubble is at the top of the syringe, push gently on the plunger so the air goes back to the bottle. Before removing the needle, be sure you have the proper amount in the syringe.
How to make a syringe with a needle?
Steps: Wash your hands well with soap and water. Gather the supplies you need and place them on a clean, dry surface. Note: If your syringe is already drawn up, skip steps 2-7. Screw a needle on the syringe hub unless your syringe comes with a needle already attached. Vial: Flip off the plastic top.
How to hold a syringe like a dart?
With your dominant hand, hold the syringe like a dart at a 90° angle to the site.
How long to dry a syringe?
Let the area dry for 20 seconds. Remove the needle cover. Never touch the needle. Spread the skin at the site between your thumb and index finger using your left hand if you are right-handed or your right hand if you are left-handed (non dominant hand).
Can you give yourself an intramuscular injection?
You can give yourself intramuscular injections at home safely with proper care and technique. This handout will guide you through the steps to give yourself an injection. If you have any questions or concerns, please ask your health care provider. The clinic phone number is _____________________.
Where to use 20 gauge needle?
Use the middle outer part of the thigh to inject. The best area is one hand length below the hip and one hand length above the knee. Use a 20-22 gauge, 1-1½ needle. See the shaded area on the figure.
How to get a needle out of a syringe?
Pick up the syringe and pull back on the needle’s safety cover toward the syringe. Pull the needle cap straight off the needle (do not twist). Set the cap aside.
What is the process of finding the knobby top of the arm called?
Find the knobby top of the arm, called the acromion process.
How to remove chloraprep from package?
Open the Chloraprep applicator and remove it from the package. Do not touch the sponge tip.
What is the phone number for a child's primary clinic in Memphis?
If you have any questions or concerns, please call 901-595-3300 and ask for your child’s primary clinic. If you are calling after hours or on the weekend, ask for the doctor on-call or the nursing shift leader. If you are outside the Memphis area, dial toll-free 1-866-2STJUDE (1-866-278-5833).
What is the border of a box?
One (1) hand width above the top of the knee becomes the lower border of the box. The center of the top of the leg becomes the left border of the box. The center of the outside of the leg becomes the right border of the box. The nurse will help you find the landmarks for making the box.
How to clean hands?
Wash your hands with soap and water. Dry them well. Or, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. See “ Do you know… Clean hands .”
What is intramuscular injection?
How to give intramuscular injections. Medicines that you give into a muscle are called intramuscular (IM) injections. These injections (shots) are given into areas of the body called injection sites. The nurse will show you the following steps and give you time to practice before you give an IM injection to your child.
Where to get IM injection?from verywellhealth.com
The best locations for an IM injection are your upper arms, thighs, hips, and buttocks. These sites have large, easy to locate muscles and a little fatty tissue covering them.
What should a healthcare professional do before administering intramuscular injections?from medicalnewstoday.com
A healthcare professional should provide people with training and education before asking them to administer intramuscular injections to themselves or another person.
What is an intramuscular injection?from drugs.com
An intramuscular (IM) injection is a shot of medicine given into a muscle. Certain medicines need to be given into the muscle for them to work correctly.
How do I choose the best place for an intramuscular injection?from drugs.com
Keep track of where the injections are given: Make a list of the sites you use. Write down the date, time, and the site each time you give an injection.
How do I get rid of used syringes and needles?from drugs.com
It is important to dispose of your needles and syringes correctly. Do not throw needles into the trash. You may receive a hard plastic container made especially for used syringes and needles. You can also use a soda bottle or other plastic bottle with a screw lid. Make sure that both the syringe and needle fit into the container easily and cannot break through the sides. Ask your healthcare provider or a pharmacist what your state or local requirements are for getting rid of used syringes and needles.
Why is it important to choose the right size needle and syringe?from verywellhealth.com
Choosing the right size needle and syringe is necessary to get the correct dose of medicine, inject it properly, and minimize pain. 1 To make it easier, these items are sold separately and designed to attach securely. Your doctor or a nurse will show you how to administer your injections at home, including which syringes and needles to use.
Why do you aspirate during dorsogluteal injection?from ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Aspirate to rule out any egress of blood, especially in cases of dorsogluteal injection due to inadvertent vascular puncturing of the gluteal artery during the procedure[7][8]
What is the artery that supplies the anterolateral thigh flap?from microsurgeon.org
Arterial inflow to the anterolateral thigh flap is supplied by the descending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex artery. This branch arises from the profunda femoral trunk. The lateral femoral circumflex distributes both ascending and descending branches, the latter supplying the perforators to the anterolateral thigh flap. This descending branch travels deep within the space between the rectus femoris muscle and the vastus lateralis muscle (on the surface of the vastus intermedius) - often deep in the septal plane, and on occasion enters the substance of the vastus lateralis muscle as it travels distally. The septal plane can be used to identify the artery and flap perforator blood supply. In most cases, the descending branch distributes musculocutaneous perforators to the flap.
What is the junction of the proximal and middle third?from microsurgeon.org
The junction of the proximal and middle third is often the site of a perforator that pierces the tensor fascia lata. This point can be incorporated in the flap to keep the TFL perforator as a "lifeboat" in the rare circumstance when the distal perforators are of poor quality or injured during dissection. The junction of the middle and distal third is marked and is also incorporated into the flap. The flap design can be adjusted depending on findings of a Doppler exam.
What is intramuscular injection?from medicalnewstoday.com
An intramuscular injection delivers medication into a muscle. Doctors frequently use intramuscular injections to administer vaccines and certain other drugs. People with specific conditions, such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, may need to give themselves this type of injection at home.
Why is it important to choose the right size needle and syringe?from verywellhealth.com
Choosing the right size needle and syringe is necessary to get the correct dose of medicine, inject it properly, and minimize pain. 1 To make it easier, these items are sold separately and designed to attach securely. Your doctor or a nurse will show you how to administer your injections at home, including which syringes and needles to use.
How long should a needle be for intramuscular injection?from verywellhealth.com
5 Muscle is deeper than skin, so the needle used for these shots must be thicker and longer. Needles with a gauge of 20 or 22 G and a length of 1 or 1.5 inches are usually best.
What is the best way to dissect a perforator?from medicine.uiowa.edu
If the perforators are musculocutaneous, they should be uncovered at this stage, to their junction with the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral vessels. This is accomplished by meticulous dissection with fine scissors and bipolar cautery. Circumferential dissection should not be performed at this stage.
What should a healthcare professional do before administering intramuscular injections?from medicalnewstoday.com
A healthcare professional should provide people with training and education before asking them to administer intramuscular injections to themselves or another person.
Why is it important to administer the most painful shots?
Injecting the most painful vaccine last when multiple injections are needed can decrease the pain associated with the injections.
How to label a syringe?
Label each syringe with the name and the dosage (amount) of the vaccine, lot number, the initials of the preparer, and the exact beyond-use time, if applicable.
How long should you be observant after a shot?
Observe recipients after vaccination to decrease the risk for injury should they faint. For most vaccines a 15-minute observation period is recommended. Some persons should be observed longer–30 minutes–after receiving COVID-19 vaccine. Detailed guidance can be found here.
Can you give multiple injections in one limb?
For infants and younger children receiving more than two injections in a single limb, the thigh is the preferred site because of the greater muscle mass. For older children and adults, the deltoid muscle can be used for more than one intramuscular injection. Best practices for multiple injections include:
