Steps for Administering a Intramuscular Injection:

Procedure for administering intramuscular injection:
1. Review the order and check patient allergies.
2. Wash hands and put gloves on.
3. Identify the patient (remember six rights).
4. Position patient and locate site using appropriate anatomical landmarks.
5. Wipe site with alcohol in a circular motion to cleanse, allow to dry.
6. Spread skin taut and insert needle at a 90 degree angle.
7. Aspirate and observe for blood in syringe. If blood appears remove and
discard needle.
8. Inject medication slowly, remove needle quickly and gently apply
pressure to site with dry 2x2 gauze.

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Z-Track Method of Intramuscular Injection

The Z-Track method of IM injection is used to administer a drug into a large muscle, it prevents leakage of a irritating medication into the subcutaneous tissues. When using this method the skin is pulled to the side, the medication is injected and the skin is released. Here a seal is formed over the IM site which prevents seepage of the medication into the tissue. Z-Track method pictured above.

Sites For Intramuscular Injection

Video demonstrating sites of injection.

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Needles for Intramuscular Injections:

The syringe size for intramuscular injections ranges from 3 to 5 ml. The needle size and length vary according to factors such as the muscle to be used, the type of solution, how much adipose tissue is covering the muscle and the age of the patient.
The gauge (or opening diameter) of the needle varies from #18-#28. For intramuscular injections a longer needle is used to reach the muscle, commonly the length is 1-1 1/2 inches. The gauge for intramuscular injections is larger, from #20-#22. Some examples of situations that may alter the choice of needle length and gauge would be the slender adult or child that would require a shorter needle or a more viscous solution that would require a larger gauge.