Help!! I have to give my dad IM injections (vit b12) and haven't had to give an IM injection in quite some time (I currently work in the OR and don't need to administer injections). I've been reading the best site to give it is ventrogluteal, but I'm not that comfortable with that since I've never done that at all.... at least I've done them in the deltoid before - even though it was a long time ago and only a couple times. My dad is super skinny and his muscles have definitely atrophied (hence the vit b12 needed), but he does still have a little more muscle in his deltoid then I anticipated. The pharmacy gave me 22 gauge syringes with 1 1/2 length. My questions are:
-Do you think it's ok to administer in his deltoid vs. ventrogluteal?
-How deep do I actually go in with the needle if he doesn't have as much muscle as an average 66 yr old man? Should I stop at 1 inch? I'm Terrified to hit bone, but want to make sure he gets the med directly into muscle.
-Any other pointers/tips???
Thank you guys so much in advance for your help and advice (I know these are amateur questions, so no judging, please!) =)
joanna73, BSN, RN
4,767 Posts
I've given many IMs and it was either the ventrogluteal or the vastis lateralis. The deltoid hurts, especially on anyone with skinny arms.
My patients reported that they hardly felt anything. Proper land marking is very important also.