An intramuscular injection is an injection method used to deliver medication into a muscle, allowing the medication to be absorbed into the bloodstream quickly.
muscle needle
Intramuscular injection or intramuscular needle is a method used to deliver medication and vaccines. Intramuscular injections are used when other injection methods are not recommended, such as:
- Oral (swallowed into the stomach).
- Intravenously (injected into a vein).
- Subcutaneously (injected into the fatty tissue just under the skin).
An intramuscular injection may be used instead of an intravenous injection because some medications irritate the veins or because an appropriate vein cannot be located. It may also be used in place of oral administration because some medications are destroyed by the digestive system when the medication is swallowed.
Intramuscular injections are absorbed faster than subcutaneous injections because muscle tissue has a greater blood supply than tissue just under the skin. Muscle tissue can also contain a greater amount of medication than subcutaneous tissue.
Intramuscular injection sites
Intramuscular injections are most often given into the following muscles:
a deltoid muscle in the arm
The deltoid muscle is the muscle most commonly used for vaccines. However, this muscle is difficult to use for self-injection, because its muscle mass is small and therefore limits the amount of medication that can be injected.
To locate this muscle, feel for the bones at the top of the humerus, then slide two fingers below the bone. At the bottom of the two fingers, there will be an inverted triangle. Give the syringe to the center of the triangle.
Quadriceps thigh muscle
Divide the upper thigh into three equal parts. Locate the middle of these three sections. The injection should go to the upper, outer part of this section.
Abdominal thigh muscle
The abdominal muscle is the safest site for adults and children over 7 months of age, as it is a deep muscle and is not close to any large blood vessels or nerves.
Place the heel of your hand on the thigh of the person receiving the injection, with the fingers pointing toward their head. Position the fingers so that the thumb is pointing toward the thigh and you can feel the pelvis under your pinky finger. Form a V with your index and middle fingers, then inject the needle into the middle of that V.
dorsal muscle
It has been one of the most commonly used muscles for many years. Because the sciatic nerve may be involved, the abdominal inlay is often used now. This site is difficult to use for self-injection and is not recommended.
intramuscular injection method
Intramuscular needles and injection sites depend on many factors. These factors include the age and size of the person receiving the medication and the size and type of medication.
The needle should be long enough to reach the muscle without penetrating the nerves and blood vessels underneath. Needles should be 1 inch to 1.5 inches for an adult, of course, the size is reduced for a child.
Follow these steps for a safe intramuscular injection:
Wash hands well
Wash your hands with soap and warm water to prevent possible infection. Make sure to scrub well between the fingers, the backs of the hands, and under the nails.
Gather all the necessary supplies
Gather the following supplies:
- Needle and syringe with medication.
- gauze.
- Shatter or scratch-resistant container for disposal of used needles and syringes.
- bandages;
Determine the injection site
The person receiving the injection should be in a comfortable position and keep the muscles relaxed before the injection site is located.
Injection site cleaning
Clean the exact injection site with an alcohol swab and allow the skin to air dry.
Intramuscular needle preparation
Remove the cap from the needle and push the needle through the rubber stopper on the top of the vial.
Inject all the air into the vial.
Be careful not to touch the needle to keep it clean.
Turn the vial and syringe upside down with the needle pointing up and pull the plunger to draw out the correct amount of medication.
Then remove air bubbles by depressing the syringe to push any bubbles upward and gently depressing the plunger to push the air bubbles out.
self-injection method
Hold the needle and insert it into the muscle at a 90-degree angle. You must insert the needle in a quick but controlled manner. Do not push the plunger in.
If you see blood entering the syringe, the tip of the needle is in a blood vessel. If this happens, withdraw the needle and start again with a new needle and injection site. But there is no need to worry because this is rare.
If you don't see blood entering the syringe, the needle is in the correct place and you can safely inject the medication:
Slowly push the plunger to inject the medication into the muscle.
remove the needle
Withdraw the needle quickly and dispose of it safely.
You should never put used needles in the regular trash, as needles can be dangerous to anyone handling the trash.
pressure on the injection site
Use a piece of gauze to apply light pressure to the injection site. You can even massage the area to help the medicine absorb into the muscles.
It is normal to see slight bleeding. And you can use a bandage if necessary
Tips to reduce potential pain before the injection
Apply ice or a topical numbing cream to the injection site before cleaning it with an alcohol pad.
Allow the alcohol to dry completely before injecting.
Warm the medicine bottle by rubbing it between your hands before drawing the medicine into the syringe.
Complications of intramuscular injection
If you feel these symptoms, you should consult a doctor immediately because they may indicate the occurrence of serious complications. These symptoms include:
- Severe pain at the injection site.
- Tingling or numbness in the leg.
- Redness, swelling, or warmth at the injection site.
- bleeding;
- Signs of an allergic reaction, such as difficulty breathing or swelling of the face.
Intramuscular injection is the most common injection method for giving drugs or vaccines. Follow the above steps to be able to give the injection safely.
Comments
Post a Comment