Intramuscular Injection Techniques
art & science
The synthesis of art and science is lived by the nurse in the nursing act JQSEPHINE e PATERSON
If you would like to contribiito to the art and science section contact: Gwcn Clarke, art and science editor, Nursing Standard, The Heights, 59-65 Lowlands Road, Harrow-on-the-Hill, Middlesex H A l 3AW. email: gwen.clarkeva rcnpublishing.co.uk
Intramuscular injection techniques
Hunter J (2008) Intramuscular injection techniques. Nursing Standard. 22, 24,35-40. Date of acceptance: October 29 2007 Summary
The administration of intrairiLiscLitar (IM) injections is an important part of medication management and a common nursing intervention in clinical practice, A skilled injection technique can make the patient 's experience less painful and avoid unnecessary complications.
Intramuscular injections
AnIM injection is chosen when a reasonably rapid systemic uptake of the drug (usually within 15-20 minutes} is needed by the body and when a relatively prolonged action is required. The amounts of solution that can he given will depend on the muscle bed and range from 1 -5ml for adults. Much smaller volumes are acceptable in children (Rodger and King 2000, Corben 2005). The medication is injected into the denser part ofthe muscle fascia below the subcutaneous tissues. This is ideal because skeletal muscles have fewer pain-sensing nerves than subcutaneous tissue and can absorb larger volumes of solution because ofthe rapid uptake ofthe drug into the bloodstream via the muscle fibres. This means that IM injections are less painful when administered correctly and can be used to inject concentrated and irritant drugs that could damage subcutaneous tissue (Rodger and King 2000, Greenway 2004). Examples of drugs administered via this route are analgesics, anti-emetics, sedatives, immunisations and hormonal treatments. It is important to recognise and understand potential complications associated with IM injections and that rapid absorption of the drugs may
The synthesis of art and science is lived by the nurse in the nursing act JQSEPHINE e PATERSON
If you would like to contribiito to the art and science section contact: Gwcn Clarke, art and science editor, Nursing Standard, The Heights, 59-65 Lowlands Road, Harrow-on-the-Hill, Middlesex H A l 3AW. email: gwen.clarkeva rcnpublishing.co.uk
Intramuscular injection techniques
Hunter J (2008) Intramuscular injection techniques. Nursing Standard. 22, 24,35-40. Date of acceptance: October 29 2007 Summary
The administration of intrairiLiscLitar (IM) injections is an important part of medication management and a common nursing intervention in clinical practice, A skilled injection technique can make the patient 's experience less painful and avoid unnecessary complications.
Intramuscular injections
AnIM injection is chosen when a reasonably rapid systemic uptake of the drug (usually within 15-20 minutes} is needed by the body and when a relatively prolonged action is required. The amounts of solution that can he given will depend on the muscle bed and range from 1 -5ml for adults. Much smaller volumes are acceptable in children (Rodger and King 2000, Corben 2005). The medication is injected into the denser part ofthe muscle fascia below the subcutaneous tissues. This is ideal because skeletal muscles have fewer pain-sensing nerves than subcutaneous tissue and can absorb larger volumes of solution because ofthe rapid uptake ofthe drug into the bloodstream via the muscle fibres. This means that IM injections are less painful when administered correctly and can be used to inject concentrated and irritant drugs that could damage subcutaneous tissue (Rodger and King 2000, Greenway 2004). Examples of drugs administered via this route are analgesics, anti-emetics, sedatives, immunisations and hormonal treatments. It is important to recognise and understand potential complications associated with IM injections and that rapid absorption of the drugs may
References: Corben V (2005) Administratior of medicines. In Baillie L (Ed) Developing Practical Nursing Sh 'Ik. Second edition. Hoflder Arnold, London, 114-154, Donaldson C, Green J (2005) Using the ventrogluleal site for intramuscular injections. Nursing Times. 101,16, 36-38. Foster J, Hilton P (2004) Maintaining a safe environment In HiltDH P (Ed) Fundamental Nursing Skills. Whure, London, 75-127 Greenway K (2004) Using the ventrogiuteal site for intramuscular injection. Nursing Standard. 18, 25, 39-42. tration: general principles. !n Dougherty U Lister S (Eds) The Royal Marsden Hospital Manual of Clinical Procedures. Sixth edition, Blackwell Publishing, Oxford. 184-227 Little K (2000) Skin preparation for intramuscular injections. Nursing Times. 96, 46, 6-8. Nkol M, Bavin C, Bedford-Turner S, Croniii P, Rawlmgs-Anderson K (?004) Essential Nursing Skills. Second edition, Mosby, Edinburgh. Nisbet AC (2006) Intramuscular gluteal injections in the increasing obese population: retrospective study, British Medical Journal. 332, 7542, 637-638, hospitals in England. Journal of Hospital Infection 65, Sitppl 1, S1-S64, Rodger MA, King L (2000) Drawing up and administering intramuscular injections: a review of the literature. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 31, 3, 574-582. Shepherd M (2002) Medicines 2, Administration of medicines. Nursing Times. 98,16, 45-48, Small S (2004) Preventing sciatic nerve injury from intramuscular injections: literature review. Journal of Advanced Nursing. A7.3. 287-296. Workman B (1999) Safe injection techNursing Standard. 13, 39, 47-53. Wynaden D, Landsborougli I, Chapman R, McGowan S, Lapsley Jl Finn M (2005) Establishing best practice guidelines for administering of intramuscular injections in the adult a systematic review of the literature, Cantemporary Nurse. 20, 2, 267-277 Jamieson E, McCail J, Whyte L (2002) Clinical Nursing Practices: Guidelines for Nursing and Midwifery Council (200/) Evidence-Based Practice. Fourth edition, Standards fur Medicines Management Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, NMC, London, King L (2003) Subcutaneous insulin injecPratt RJ, Pellowe CM, Wilson JA et al tion technique. Nursing Standard. 17 34, (2007) epic2: national 45-52 evidence-based guidelines for preventing healthcare-associated infections in NHS Lister 5, Sarpal N (2004) Drug admitiis- 40 february 20 :: vol 22 no 24 ;: 2008 NURSING STANDARD