How to G i v e a n I n j e c t i o n Taken from: http://www.wikihow.com/Give-an-Injection
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 correctly.
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 markings on it like a ruler. The markings are in milliliters (mL). The plunger is used to get medicine into and out of the syringe. If your medication requires you to administer at-home injections, proper training is necessary to prevent injuries or infections. Injections are not difficult to perform if done with the proper care and with great attention to detail. To get started learning how to perform subcutaneous and intramuscular injections at home, begin with Step One.
Part 1 Preparation Determine what type of injection you are giving. Read the directions given to you by your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. If your medication comes with instructions, read those. If you have any questions or doubts regarding how and when to administer the injection, consult your physician or other medical professional before continuing. There are two common types of injections that one can regularly perform at home legally: subcutaneous and intramuscular. If you don’t know what kind of injection you are required to administer, consult your physician, pharmacist, or a nurse before continuing. Subcutaneous injections are made into the fat layer directly beneath the skin. Examples of this include insulin for diabetic patients; blood clot medications. Intramuscular injections are made directly into the muscle. Examples include vaccines, hormones, and antibiotics.
Wash your hands thoroughly. This will help prevent infections. Assemble the medication and needle. Make sure that the needle is sterile and unused and correct for the type of injection you’re performing; note that intramuscular and subcutaneous injections use different needles. Some medications come ready-to-use, while others require you to fill the needle with medication from a vial. In this case, sterilize the top of the vial with alcohol, and remove the needle from its package. Read the instructions on the medication to determine the amount of fluid you will need. To fill the syringe, pull the plunger to fill it with air equal to the exact amount of fluid you will need. Holding the vial upside down, insert the needle into it, and push the plunger down, injecting all of the air from the syringe into the vial. Pull the plunger out to withdraw the fluid.
Get the patient comfortable. Consider icing the area before administering the injection to reduce pain, particularly if the patient is a child. Let him or her sit in a comfortable position with the area exposed.
Part 2: Administering a Subcutaneous Injection Determine the injection site based on your doctor’s instructions. You should use a fleshy area like the upper arm.
Alternating somewhat between sites will help prevent bruising. You can switch arms and switch patches to keep it less painful. Clean the skin on and around the site with rubbing alcohol. Allow the alcohol to properly dry before administering the injection. This shouldn’t take more than a minute or two.
Insert the needle quickly and carefully at a 45 degree angle. Holding the patient’s arm with your free hand, insert the needle quickly without a big build up or dramatic countdown. Doing it quickly before the patient has the time to tense up will ensure that it happens easily and quickly.
Pull the plunger out slightly to determine whether there is blood in the syringe. If there is blood, then carefully remove the needle and find a different spot to administer the injection. If no blood found, continue.
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Inject the medicine into the patient. Push the plunger down until all of the fluid has been released.
Remove the needle. Push down on the skin above the injection site and quickly and carefully remove the needle in the same angle in which it was administered. If done correctly, the whole process doesn’t need to take more than five or ten seconds.
Part 3: Administering an Intramuscular Injection Determine the injection site. Common areas include the buttocks and upper thigh.
Alternate between injection sites to prevent bruising and soreness.
Clean the skin on and around the site with rubbing alcohol. Allow the alcohol to properly dry before administering the injection.
Insert the needle into the skin and through the muscle at a 90 degree angle. Hold the area using your free hand and inject the needle quickly, without any build up. Pull the plunger out slightly to determine whether there is blood in the syringe. If there is blood, then carefully remove the needle and find a different spot to administer the injection. If no blood is found, continue.
Carefully inject the medicine into the patient. Push the plunger down until all of the fluid has been released. Do not push too hard; insert slowly to reduce pain. Remove the needle in the same angle in which it was injected. Cover the injection site with gauze and check up on it regularly to make sure it looks clean.
Where can I give an intramuscular injection? The following are safe areas to give an IM injection: • Vastus Lateralis Muscle (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 yourself an injection because it is easy to see. It is also a good spot for children younger than 3 years old. • Ventrogluteal Muscle (Hip): Have the person getting the injection lie on his or her side. To find the correct location, place the heel of your hand on the upper, outer part of the thigh where it meets the buttocks. Point your thumb at the groin and your fingers toward the person’s head. Form a V with your fingers by separating your first finger from the other 3 fingers. You will feel the edge of a bone along the tips of your little and ring fingers. The place to give the injection is in the middle of the V. The hip is a good place for an injection for adults and children older than 7 months. • Deltoid Muscle (Up1per arm muscle): Completely expose the upper arm. You will give the injection in the center of an upside down triangle. Feel for the bone that goes across the top of the upper arm. The bottom of it will form the base of the triangle. The point of the triangle is directly below the middle of the base at about the level of the armpit. The correct area to give an injection is in the center of the triangle, 1 to 2 inches below the acromion process. This site should not be used if the person is very thin or the muscle is very small. • Dorsogluteal Muscle (buttocks): Expose one side of the buttocks. With an alcohol wipe draw a line from the top of the crack between the buttocks to the side of the body. Find the middle of that line and go up 3 inches. From that point, draw another line down and across the first line, ending about halfway down the buttock. You should have drawn a cross. In the upper outer square you will feel a curved bone. The injection will go in the upper outer square below the curved bone. Do not use this site for infants or children younger than 3 years old, their muscles are not developed enough.
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 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.
What are the risks of an intramuscular injection?
An intramuscular injection could cause an infection, bleeding, numbness, or pain.
When should I contact a caregiver?
Contact a caregiver if: • A fever, sneezing, or coughing develops after the injection. • There is a lump, swelling, or bruising where the injection was given that does not go away. • You have questions about how to give an injection.
When should I seek immediate care?
Seek care immediately or call 911 if: • A rash or itching develops after the injection is given. • Shortness of breath develops after the injection is given. • The mouth, lips, or face swells after the injection is given.