CLINICAL SKILLS - INTRAMUSCULAR INJECTIONS

Question 1

What do you do in the introduction?

Answer 1

• hello my name is Anjali Singh and I am a third year medical student
• please can I confirm your name, age and DOB?
• please can I check your wristband
• today i have been asked to give you an intramuscular injection which will involve me giving you X through a needle which I will insert in your upper arm - would that be ok?

Question 2

checking the prescription (5)

Answer 2

1. i am now going to check the prescription
2. i am checking that the we have the right patient
3. i am checking the drug name, route and dose
4. i am checking for any allergies
5. i am going to check the signature

Question 3

preparing the equipment (5)

Answer 3

1. i am going to check the drug name
2. dose/concentration
3. expiry date
4. integrity
5. if there is any debris or cloudiness in liquid

Question 4

What equipment do you require? (3)

Answer 4

1. filter needle
2. syringe
3. blue injecting needle

Question 5

How do you carry out the injection? (13)

Answer 5

1. wash hands
2. check equipment and place in tray
3. put non-sterile gloves on
4. attach filter needle or green needle
   - hold needle and hold drug vertically
5. replace with blue needle
6. expel air
7. prepare skin with alcohol wipe
8. stretch skin
9. insert the needle at 90 degrees
10. aspirate to check if you have landed in vein
11. slowly inject
12. dispose equipment
13. make sure the patient is comfortable