Intramuscular injections Flashcards
(47 cards)
Q: Why is the vastus lateralis site commonly used for intramuscular injections?
A:
Easily accessible, especially for self-administration.
Few major blood vessels and nerves, reducing the risk of injury.
Suitable for patients of all ages, including infants and adults.
Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of using the vastus lateralis site?
A:
Advantages:
Safe and accessible site for large medication volumes.
Suitable for patients who cannot receive injections in other areas.
Disadvantages:
Can be painful and may cause discomfort.
Subcutaneous tissue depth varies, affecting medication absorption.
Q: What are the contraindications for administering intramuscular injections?
A:
Infection or inflammation at the injection site.
Nerve damage, poor blood supply, or oedema in the area.
Increased risk of bleeding in patients on anticoagulants or with clotting disorders.
Q: What equipment is required for administering an intramuscular injection?
A:
Appropriately sized syringe and needle.
Blunt fill needle (with filter for glass ampoules).
Alcohol swabs for skin cleaning.
Non-sterile gloves and apron.
Sharps bin for safe disposal.
Gauze swab for aftercare.
Q: How should the needle size be selected for an intramuscular injection?
A:
Based on the patient’s age, weight, and muscle mass.
38 mm (1.5 inch) needle for adults over 90 kg.
Oil-based or viscous medications may need a larger gauge.
Q: What steps should be taken to prepare for an intramuscular injection?
A:
Explain the procedure and gain verbal consent.
Perform hand hygiene and wear PPE.
Verify the medication, dose, and route using the MAR.
Inspect the injection site for swelling, infection, or lesions.
Q: How is the vastus lateralis injection site located?
A:
Find the area between a hand’s breadth above the knee and a hand’s breadth below the greater trochanter.
Use the anterior lateral aspect of the thigh.
Identify the middle third of the muscle as the injection site.
Q: What is the correct injection technique for the vastus lateralis site?
A:
Stretch the skin using the Z-track method to prevent medication leakage.
Insert the needle at a 90º angle using a darting motion.
Inject the medication slowly (~1 mL per 10 seconds).
Wait 10 seconds before removing the needle.
Q: Why is the Z-track method used for intramuscular injections?
A:
Prevents medication leakage into subcutaneous tissue.
Reduces pain and irritation.
Promotes better absorption of the medication.
Q: Is it necessary to aspirate when administering an intramuscular injection at the vastus lateralis site?
A: No, aspiration is not required as there are no major blood vessels in this area.
Q: What is the proper way to handle and dispose of sharps after injection?
A:
Activate the safety device on the needle.
Dispose of the needle immediately into a sharps bin.
Never recap the needle to avoid needlestick injuries.
Q: What aftercare should be provided following an intramuscular injection?
A:
Apply gentle pressure with a gauze swab if needed.
Monitor for adverse effects like swelling, redness, or pain.
Advise the patient that the injection site may be sore for 1–2 days.
Q: What should be documented after administering an intramuscular injection?
A:
Record the drug name, dose, route, and time in the MAR.
Note the injection site and any observations (e.g., side effects).
Sign and date the documentation as per local policy.
Q: What are the risks of using incorrect needle size for intramuscular injections?
A:
Subcutaneous injection instead of intramuscular, leading to poor absorption.
Increased risk of pain, abscess formation, and tissue damage.
Q: What complications should patients be informed about after receiving an intramuscular injection?
A:
Possible pain, bruising, or swelling at the site.
Rare complications include infection, nerve damage, or anaphylaxis.
Instruct patients to report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.
Q: Why is it important to check for medication compatibility before administration?
A:
Prevents chemical reactions between drugs when multiple injections are required.
Ensures safe mixing of medications in the same syringe (if allowed).
Always consult the pharmacist or refer to trusted resources before combining drugs.
Q: What are effective pain management techniques for intramuscular injections?
A:
Use the Z-track method to reduce medication leakage and irritation.
Allow the alcohol swab to dry completely to prevent stinging.
Inject the medication slowly (1 mL per 10 seconds) to minimize discomfort.
Distract the patient or encourage deep breathing to reduce anxiety.
Q: What are the special considerations for administering intramuscular injections to pediatric patients?
A:
Use a shorter needle (16 mm–25 mm) for infants and small children.
The vastus lateralis is the preferred site for infants under 12 months.
Limit the injection volume to 0.5 mL for infants and 1 mL for small children.
Ensure proper restraint and comfort during the procedure.
Q: What is the maximum volume that can be safely injected into the vastus lateralis muscle?
A:
Up to 5 mL in adults with well-developed muscle mass.
For smaller adults or children, limit to 1–2 mL to prevent tissue damage.
If a larger dose is needed, split it into multiple injections in different sites.
Q: Why is it important to rotate injection sites for patients receiving frequent IM injections?
A:
Prevents muscle fibrosis, tissue damage, and abscess formation.
Reduces the risk of pain and skin irritation.
Maintain a record of previous injection sites to avoid repeated use.
Q: Why is the deltoid site used for intramuscular injections?
A:
Easily accessible with minimal exposure required.
Suitable for small-volume injections (≤ 2 mL).
Commonly used for vaccines and medications like hydroxocobalamin.
Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of using the deltoid site?
A:
Advantages:
Convenient and requires less patient repositioning.
Preferred for vaccinations.
Disadvantages:
Limited to small volumes.
Risk of injury to the axillary nerve and radial nerve.
Q: What are the contraindications for intramuscular injections?
A:
Infection, inflammation, or oedema at the site.
Risk of nerve damage or poor blood supply.
Patients on anticoagulants or with bleeding disorders.
Q: How is the deltoid injection site located?
A:
Identify the acromion process.
Measure 2–3 finger-widths below the acromion.
Imagine a rectangle between this point and the axilla.
Inject into the center of this area.
