How to Inject Intramuscular

Intramuscular (IM) injections are a type of venipuncture that is given into the central area of a certain muscle to distribute medication to the cardiovascular system. This type of treatment allows the body to receive medication at a faster rate and at a larger volume than an oral or subcutaneous medication would allow. Certain health care professionals, such as nurses, phlebotomists, and medical assistants are trained in giving this kind of injection; as are some patients with certain diseases, such as diabetes, that require regular injection of medications. With adequate training and practice, this can be a very easy procedure.

Things You'll Need

• Gloves
• Alcohol pads
• Medicine
• Syringe and proper sized needle
• Sterile gauze or cotton ball
• Hard Heavy container or "Sharps" container
• Bandage (optional)

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Instructions

• 1

  Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Wear gloves (latex or vinyl depending on preference). Be sure to have all of your supplies next to your work location and closed until you are ready to use them so that they remain sterile.

• 2

  Prepare the location of the body for injection by exposing the skin. Open your alcohol pad and clean the location of the injection. Allow skin a few seconds to dry.

• 3

  Always check your medication before use. Look for any discolorations of the fluid as well as the expiration date. Clean the medicine bottle top with an alcohol pad to remove any residue or other possible bacteria.

• 4

  If your syringe and needle are not attached, connect them as directed per the manufacturer's or physician's instructions. Take the cap off of the needle, making sure not to lose the cap. (Many needles have an automatic cap that pops back in place after the needle is used).

• 5

  Pull back on the plunger, pulling air into syringe equal to the amount of medicine you are required to use. Insert the needle into the rubber stopper of the medicine bottle and push the air into the bottle. Turn the bottle over so that it is now above the needle (with the needle still in place), holding both to prevent damage to the needle. Now, fill the syringe with the correct dosage of medicine.

• 6

  While the needle is still in the bottle, check for bubbles in the syringe by tapping the barrel to move air to the top and push the air out. Refill any amount of medicine that was removed and check again for air. Remove the needle from the bottle.

• 7

  Stretch the skin at your injection site and pinch the tissue using your thumb and index finger. Do not touch the area that was swabbed with the alcohol pad. Quickly and carefully insert the needle at a 90 degree angle into the skin. Release the skin and hold the syringe in place; pull back on the plunger to see if blood draws in (this would indicate that you are in a blood vessel, where you don't want to be). If there is no blood present, begin injecting the medication.

• 8

  Hold a gauze pad or cotton ball at the skin next to the needle, and place on the injection site as you quickly pull the needle out of the skin. Rub the skin in a circular motion and hold the gauze or cotton ball in place for about 30 seconds to a minute. Replace the cap on the needle and dispose of it inside of a hard container or designated sharps container.

• 9

  Check the injection site for any additional redness or bleeding, applying a bandage as needed.