Intramuscular Injections
Intramuscular injections are used to deliver medications parenterally without requiring IV access. This section outlines the procedure for performing IM injections.
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Indications
Rapid action, inability to deliver the medication orally
Contraindications
Consider clinical context
Coagulopathy, immunocompromise
Positioning
Comfortable position, expose the desired site
Prepare the Syringe
Reconstitute medication, draw up, injection needle
Prepare the Area
Decontaminate with alcohol swab
Insert the needle
90 degrees to the skin
Pull Back the Plunger Slightly
Assess for blood - if so then remove and start again
Inject the Medication
Slowly
Remove the Needle
And apply light pressure to the site with a dry swab
Clean Up
Dispose of sharps and other waste
Pain
Injection of Incorrect Site
Subcutaneous / intravascular
Infection
Cellulitis, abscess
Haematoma
Sterile Abscess
Injury
To vessels, nerves, bone, muscle