IM (intramuscular) and SC (subcutaneous) injections are both methods of delivering medication into the body. Here are the steps for administering an IM/SC injection:
- Wash your hands thoroughly and gather your supplies: medication, syringe, needle, alcohol wipes, and gloves.
- Choose the injection site. The common sites for IM injection include the deltoid muscle in the upper arm, the vastus lateralis muscle in the thigh, and the gluteal muscle in the buttocks. The common sites for SC injection include the abdomen, thigh, and upper arm.
- Clean the injection site with an alcohol wipe and let it dry.
- Put on gloves.
- Remove the needle cap from the syringe and draw up the medication.
- Hold the syringe like a pencil and insert the needle at a 90-degree angle for IM injection or at a 45-degree angle for SC injection.
- For IM injection, inject the medication into the muscle. For SC injection, pinch the skin at the injection site and inject the medication into the tissue beneath the skin.
- Remove the needle and apply pressure to the injection site with an alcohol wipe.
- Dispose of the needle and syringe in a sharps container.
It is important to follow the instructions and guidelines provided by your healthcare provider and to seek professional medical advice if you are unsure about how to administer an injection.
An IM (intramuscular) or SC (subcutaneous) injection is a type of injection that is given into the muscle tissue or under the skin. This type of injection is used to administer medications that need to be absorbed slowly or that cannot be given by other routes, such as orally or topically.
Here are the general steps for giving an IM or SC injection:
- Wash your hands and put on gloves if required.
- Select the appropriate site for the injection, such as the deltoid muscle in the upper arm for an IM injection or the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm for an SC injection.
- Clean the injection site with an alcohol pad or swab and allow it to air dry.
- Hold the syringe like a pencil with the bevel of the needle facing up.
- Use your other hand to stretch the skin taut at the injection site.
- Insert the needle into the muscle or subcutaneous tissue at a 90-degree angle, using a smooth and steady motion.
- Once the needle is inserted into the tissue, aspirate to make sure you have not hit a blood vessel. If blood appears in the syringe, remove the needle and start over.
- For an IM injection, inject the medication slowly and steadily by pushing the plunger with your thumb or fingers. For a SC injection, inject the medication slowly by pushing the plunger with your thumb or fingers.
- Withdraw the needle at the same angle it was inserted and apply pressure to the injection site with a gauze pad or cotton ball.
- Dispose of the used needle and syringe in a sharps container and remove your gloves.
It is important to follow the specific instructions provided by your healthcare provider when giving an IM or SC injection, including the proper dose and injection site. If you have any questions or concerns about giving an IM or SC injection, talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist for guidance.