Nursing Skills & Procedures: Intramuscular Injection

Intramuscular Injection (IM)

Definition

Intramuscular injection (IM) is the administration of a drug in injectable form into a muscle.

Indication

An Intramuscular injection IM is indicated when there is a need for absorption and thus rapid action: resorption is rapid because of the important vascularisation of the muscles.

Equipment

Medicine to be injected.
Equipment for the preparation of the medicine.
Sterile syringe 1 mL to 20 mL depending on the amount of the drug to be administered.
Intramuscular needle (black: 22 Gauge, green: 21 Gauge).
Alcohol swabs
Dressing or compress and plaster.
Disposable Gloves.
Equipement for hand hygiene.
Container for used syringes and needles

Types of Needles and their sizes

Colour Gauge Diameter Uses
Yellow 30 Gauges 0,30 mm Subcutanuous / Intradermal Injections
Grey 27 Gauges 0,40 mm Subcutanuous Injections (SC)
Brown 26 Gauges 0,45 mm Subcutanuous Injections (SC)
Orange 25 Gauges 0,50 mm Subcutanuous Injections (SC)
Bleu 23 Gauges 0,60 mm SC / IV / IM Injection – Venipuncture
Back 22 Gauges 0,70 mm IM / IV Injection – Venipuncture
Green 21 Gauges 0,80 mm IM / IV Injection- Venipuncture
Yellow 20 Gauges 0,90 mm Venipuncture
Cream 19 Gauges 1,10 mm Venipuncture
Rose 18 Gauges 1,25 mm Pump
White 16 Gauges 1,60 mm Pump

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