Intramuscular Injections Flashcards
Advantages of IM
Larger quantity and quicker adsorption
Disadvantage of a IM
Nerve and blood vessel damage is high
Name IM sites
Dorsogluteal, Deltoid, Vastus lateralis and Ventrogluteal
Define deltoid
Top of shoulder, thick of upper arm or 2-3 fingers from shoulder bone.
Define dorsogluteal
Upper outer buttocks quadrant
Define vastus lateralis
Middle, outer quadrant of the front of the thigh
Define ventrogluteal
Side of the hip
What injections can be used in an IM
Diazepam, morphine and penicillin
Max amount of medicine that can be given?
NO MORE than 1mL in any site
NO MORE than 3mL in gluteal/ vastus lateralis
Danger of dorsogluteal site
High possibility of injuring sciatic nerve
What angle is used
90*
Should you aspirate for an IM
Yes, pullback 1cc and count 5-10 seconds
No blood all good, if there’s blood withdraw and start over
Max amount of medication given to elderly and thinner adults
2mL in gluteal or vastus lateralis
Needle lengths
1-3 inches depending on patient and location
Average length for an adult
1 1/2 inch
When is a 1-inch needle used
For thin adults and children
When is a 2 or 3- inch needle used?
With an obese patient
Gauges for IMs
18-25G
Depending on location and consistency of medication
What syringes can be used for IMs
2cc, 5cc or 10 cc
How should you handle larger then 5cc of medication
Prepare 2 injections equaling to the order
