Intramuscular Medication Administration: Introduction (Nursing)

00:04 Let's take a look at the intramuscular or IM injection medication administration.

00:09 We typically do this most commonly for vaccinations.

00:13 Now, let's take a look at the equipment we're gonna need.

00:17 Let's make sure we have the appropriate medication.

00:19 Then, we're gonna use about a one to three mL syringe.

00:23 We typically will not give any more than this in an intramuscular injection.

00:28 Now, with an intramuscular injection, needle size is important.

00:33 So, this is gonna range anywhere from a 22 to a 25 gauge needle.

00:38 So, when we talk about gauge, this is talking about diameter of the needle itself.

00:44 Now, remember with injections, the higher the number, the smaller the diameter of the needle.

00:51 Then, when we're looking at gauge or diameter, we also need to consider the size or the length of the needle.

00:58 Meaning this could range from 5/8's which is a pretty small adult we would use that for or a 1 and 1/2 inch.

01:06 That's gonna be pretty long but that's for those people with those big, deep biceps.

01:11 Then, we need an antiseptic pad or maybe even alcohol pad to clean the site and a gauze pad in case your patient bleeds.

01:20 Now, let's look at the various IM administration sites.

01:24 So, as you can see here, we have choices, deltoid in the arm is one.

01:29 This is the most common injection site and relatively safe.

01:34 So, much of your vaccinations, you've probably even gotten one is in the deltoid.

01:38 Next, let's look at the vastus lateralis. Now, we use this a lot for the pediatric patients because it's the most developed muscle that they have when they're so, so young.

01:49 So, vastus lateralis, really think about your pediatric patients.

01:53 We have are dorsogluteal and also, ventrogluteal.

01:56 Now, these landmark sites are a little bit harder, so, really, the most preferred in vaccinations with adults is gonna be your deltoid muscle.

02:04 Now, we'll take a look at that later. So, now, let's look at giving that medication.

02:09 So, first and foremost, we've gotta verify those seven rights of administration.

02:15 Right patient, right med, you know all of these.

02:18 These are really important before we give any meds.

02:21 Then, we need to draw up the medication appropriately from the vial.

02:24 Now, IM's are a little bit different.

02:27 Because they are a little bit larger in diameter, we can use a filter or maybe a blunt tip needle to pull up the medication because sometimes, that medication's also kind of thick or there's a little bit more but we're going to puncture the vial and use either a filter or a blunt tip needle.

02:46 Now, since we've punctured the rubber stopper if you will and pulled up medication, we don't wanna use that same thing in injecting in a patient arm.

02:58 So, really important, detach this filter or blunt tip needle and imply a new, appropriate size injection needle to the syringe.