Why is this procedure done?
An intramuscular or I.M. injection is also called a shot. With this kind of shot, you use a longer needle to give the drug into your muscle. Some drugs: ‚
- Work better and faster when given this way
- Can only be given in a muscle
- May be given in a muscle if you are not able to take them by mouth
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What will the results be?
Your body takes up the drug very quickly and very well when you get it with an intramuscular shot. ‚
What happens before the procedure?
- Make sure you have all of the items that you will need. Place them on a clean surface nearby.
- An alcohol wipe
- A 2 x 2 sterile gauze
- A syringe filled with the correct drug and dosage
- A container to throw away the syringe and needle. A heavy plastic detergent bottle with a lid or other solid container will work.
- A bandaid
- Check the drug.
- Read the label to make sure that you have the correct drug.
- Make sure you have the right dose. Check the amount of drug against what the doctor ordered.
- Check the expiration date. Do not use it if it is expired. Do not use if you see crystals, sediment, particles, unusual color, or cloudiness in the drug.
- Check the syringe.
- See that you have the correct size needle for your body type.
- Get rid of any air from the syringe. Do not get rid of any of the drug.
- Wash your hands with warm, soapy water before giving the shot.
- Select a site that will be easy for you to give the I.M. shot. It may be easiest for you to reach the front or sides of your thighs to give yourself a shot. This would be the middle part of the front or side of your thigh between the knee and hip area.
- Use the alcohol wipe to clean the area where you are going to give the shot. Let it air dry. Do not fan or blow on the area.
- Keep a record of where you give yourself a shot. Use a different site each time. Giving shots in the same spot will cause scar tissue to form in that area. Scar tissue will make it hard for drugs to be taken up by the body. It will also make it hard to put the needle in your skin.
What happens during the procedure?
- Remove the needle cap.
- Spread a section of the skin tightly between your thumb and first finger of the hand you do not write with.
- Pick up the syringe in your writing hand. Hold it the way you would hold a pencil.
- Holding the syringe firmly, quickly and firmly push the needle in the skin. Use a 90 ‚ ° angle so the needle will go through the skin and fat, directly into the muscle. The needle will be almost all the way into the skin.
- Hold the syringe with one hand. With the other, pull back the plunger to check for blood in the syringe.
- If you see blood, do not push the drug in. You are not in the muscle. Take out the needle.
- Start again at a new site using the same syringe and a new needle.
- If you do not see blood, slowly press down on the plunger until it stops.
- Take the needle out of the skin.
- If there is bleeding, put firm pressure on the site. Hold a sterile gauze pad over the puncture mark.
- Put a bandaid on the site after the bleeding has stopped. Do not rub or massage the area.
- Put the syringe and needle into the container to throw away right after giving the shot.
What happens after the procedure?
You may feel some pain at the site of the injection caused by the needle or the drug. Find out what services are available in your area for disposing of needles and syringes. ‚
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What problems could happen?
You may have some bleeding, soreness, mild bruising, and redness at the site. ‚
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Problem giving yourself the shot
- Rash, swelling, or bleeding that does not stop at the site of shot
- Very bad pain
- Drug is injected into the wrong area
- Fever or allergic reaction develops
Where can I learn more?
Immunization Action Coalition ‚
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2020a.pdf ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚