Administering an intramuscular (IM) injection involves injecting medication into the
muscle tissue. IM injections are commonly used for certain medications, such as
testosterone replacement therapies or vitamin therapies. Here's a step-by-step guide on
how to perform an intramuscular injection:
1. Gather your supplies: Medication prescribed by your healthcare provider
Syringe (appropriate size for the prescribed dose)
Needle (usually a longer and thicker needle specifically designed for IM
injections)
Alcohol swabs
Sharps container (for safe disposal of used needles)
Cotton ball or gauze (optional)
2. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water, then dry them.
3. Prepare the medication: Check the label to ensure you have the correct medication and dosage.
Follow any specific instructions provided by your healthcare provider or
the medication's package insert.
Draw the medication into the syringe according to the prescribed dose.
4. Choose the injection site: Common injection sites for IM injections include the shoulder (deltoid
muscle), outer thigh (vastus lateralis muscle), and buttock (gluteus
maximus muscle). Your healthcare provider will usually advise you on the
best site for your specific medication.
It's important to note that the gluteus maximus muscle is typically used for
large-volume injections, while the deltoid and vastus lateralis muscles are
suitable for smaller volumes.
5. Prepare the injection site: Clean the injection site with an alcohol swab in a circular motion, starting
from the center and moving outward.
Allow the area to air dry completely.
6. Prepare the syringe: Remove the needle cap, taking care not to touch the needle or allow it to
come into contact with any surface.
Hold the syringe with the needle pointing upward, tap the side gently to
remove any air bubbles, and push the plunger to expel any excess
medication until a small drop appears at the tip of the needle
7. Administer the injection: Hold the syringe like a pencil or dart, with your dominant hand.
For the deltoid muscle: Locate the lower edge of the acromion process (bony prominence)
on the shoulder and place three fingers below it.
The injection site is the center of an imaginary triangle formed by
the upper arm bone, the acromion process, and the armpit.
Insert the needle quickly and deeply at a 90-degree angle.
For the vastus lateralis muscle: Be in a in a seated position.
Locate the midpoint of the thigh and the outer aspect of the thigh
muscle.
Insert the needle quickly and deeply at a 90-degree angle.
For the gluteus maximus muscle: Locate the upper, outer quadrant of the buttock.
Use the upper, outer quadrant as the injection site, avoiding the
sciatic nerve.
Insert the needle quickly and deeply at a 90-degree angle.
Once the needle is inserted, pull back slightly on the plunger to check for
blood. If blood enters the syringe, it indicates that the needle has entered
a blood vessel, and you should withdraw the needle and try a different
spot.
If no blood enters the syringe, slowly push the plunger with steady, gentle
pressure to inject the medication.
Once the medication is injected, withdraw the needle swiftly and discard.
Administering Intramuscular Injection
1. Gather your supplies:
Medication prescribed by your healthcare provider
Syringe (appropriate size for the prescribed dose)
Needle (usually a longer and thicker needle specifically designed for IM injections)
Alcohol swabs
Sharps container (for safe disposal of used needles)
Cotton ball or gauze (optional)
2. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water, then dry them.
3. Prepare the medication:
Check the label to ensure you have the correct medication and dosage.
Follow any specific instructions provided by your healthcare provider or the medication's package insert.
Draw the medication into the syringe according to the prescribed dose.
4. Choose the injection site:
Common injection sites for IM injections include the shoulder (deltoid muscle), outer thigh (vastus lateralis muscle), and buttock (gluteus maximus muscle). Your healthcare provider will usually advise you on the best site for your specific medication.
It's important to note that the gluteus maximus muscle is typically used for large-volume injections, while the deltoid and vastus lateralis muscles are suitable for smaller volumes.
5. Prepare the injection site:
Clean the injection site with an alcohol swab in a circular motion, starting from the center and moving outward.
Allow the area to air dry completely.
6. Prepare the syringe:
Remove the needle cap, taking care not to touch the needle or allow it to come into contact with any surface.
Hold the syringe with the needle pointing upward, tap the side gently to remove any air bubbles, and push the plunger to expel any excess medication until a small drop appears at the tip of the needle
7. Administer the injection:
Hold the syringe like a pencil or dart, with your dominant hand.
For the deltoid muscle:
Locate the lower edge of the acromion process (bony prominence) on the shoulder and place three fingers below it.
The injection site is the center of an imaginary triangle formed by the upper arm bone, the acromion process, and the armpit.
Insert the needle quickly and deeply at a 90-degree angle.
For the vastus lateralis muscle:
Be in a in a seated position.
Locate the midpoint of the thigh and the outer aspect of the thigh muscle.
Insert the needle quickly and deeply at a 90-degree angle.
For the gluteus maximus muscle:
Locate the upper, outer quadrant of the buttock.
Use the upper, outer quadrant as the injection site, avoiding the sciatic nerve.
Insert the needle quickly and deeply at a 90-degree angle.
Once the needle is inserted, pull back slightly on the plunger to check for blood. If blood enters the syringe, it indicates that the needle has entered a blood vessel, and you should withdraw the needle and try a different spot.
If no blood enters the syringe, slowly push the plunger with steady, gentle pressure to inject the medication.
Once the medication is injected, withdraw the needle swiftly and discard.