Intramuscular (IM) Administration

Here are the steps needed to accomplish administering IM injections. Feel free to read through the steps .

  1. You will be needing all these supplies. Prepare the medication to be given, syringe, alcohol prep pad, gauze, band-aid and needle. The needles are usually 21g or 22g, and 1 1/2″ long.
  2. Wash your hands.
  3. Prepare/Mix the medication accordingly and put it into the syringe.
  4. Attach the new needle into the syringe.
  5. Medication can be given into the:
    • Ventrogluteal – Patient may lie on back or side with hip and knee flexed.
    • Vastus lateralis – Patient may lie on the back or may assume a sitting position.
    • Deltoid – Patient may sit or lie with arm relaxed.
    • Dorsogluteal – Patient may lie prone with toes pointing inward or on side with upper leg flexed and placed in front of lower leg.
  6. The site should be free of bumps and scars.
  7. Clean the site with an alcohol pad. Allow the alcohol to dry. Do not use a blower or fan to quicken the drying process.
  8. Spread the skin with your fingers and inject the needle straight down in a dart-like motion all the way.
  9. Pull back on the plunger a little. If you see blood enter the syringe, pull the needle out a little and inject the medication. If you do not see blood, simply inject.
  10. Pull the needle out and dispose of properly in a sharps container. Do not put medical or sharp waste in the regular garbage.
  11. Use the gauze to dab up any blood, if necessary, and cover with a bandage.
  12. Wash your hands.

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