IM Injection, Hitting Bone?

What Members Are Saying (AI-Generated Summary)

Members are discussing the use of different needle lengths for IM injections based on patient size, the technique of pulling back on the needle when hitting bone, and the administration of vaccines subcutaneously versus intramuscularly. Some members share experiences of hitting bone while giving injections, with concerns about potential negative effects on patients. Additionally, there is a discussion about the proper technique for administering IM injections, especially in cases where patients have limited muscle tissue.

I was giving my mother an IM injection for the Flu Vaccine at the hospital, I did the injection and felt that I hit a bone or something. I did aspirate and received no blood return and went ahead and inject the medication. The injection was a little high up, not where I received mine.

Is hitting the bone bad or something... will it cause any negative effects. I asked her if there was pain afterwards and she said not really?

Specializes in Community Health Nurse, School Nursing,.
cherrybreeze said:
Flu vaccines aren't given subq....or am I missing something? I've never known of a vaccine that wasn't IM.

this is a pretty late response but measles vaccine is given subcutaneously. ?

Specializes in ER, LTC, IHS.

Measles vaccines is in the MMR. I never knew that to be subq?

Specializes in Emergency, Cardiac, PAT/SPU, Urgent Care.
this is a pretty late response but measles vaccine is given subcutaneously. :)

Yes, as is the Varicella vaccine.

Specializes in ER, LTC, IHS.

Ianoline thanks for clearing that up

Specializes in Emergency, Cardiac, PAT/SPU, Urgent Care.

The MMR vax is administered SQ, also, not just the measles vax (for those who administer only the measles component). I also used to run flu vax clinics - we always gave them IM.

Specializes in ER, LTC, IHS.

Ok so I guess I learned something new. Don't give vaccines in the ER

Yes, MMR is subq.

Also, I just did multiple flu vaccines, and hit the bone on a couple people. We only had one inch syringes available- I wish we had some smaller options! Nobody noticed, except for one person, who actually called me out on it (it was at a hospital so lots of RNs and MDs getting shots). I pulled out a bit before giving the injection, but now I'm worried that I may have hurt her. Does anyone know anything about the odds of causing real damage from something like that? I have been stressing out about it ever since!

Specializes in LTC, Pediatrics, Renal Med/Surg.

MMR(Measles, Mumps, Rubella)

Varivax(Chickenpox)

IPV(Inactivated Polio Virus)

These are all given subcutaneously.

Hit his afternoon I had a patient almost 2 months of age and she was so tiny while I was giving im shot while I was pushing the plunger the I felt like there was resistance,it was hard to push the plunger so I was wondering if I the bone was blocking the tip

Of the needle or what,if that's the case what do you think will happen to the baby? I feel bad for tiny pts...

i got scared coz it was so hard to push the plunger so i was thinking the bone is blocking the tip...but i hope the baby is ok...i think he's ok...lol

The only vaccines that I have given SQ are the 'live' ones..varricella and MMR.

Specializes in SNU/SNF/MedSurg, SPCU Ortho/Neuro/Spine.

I just came across the sub Q flu shot last week! Have always been giving IM, even on Little Old Ladies... You need to find that deltoid or what is left over from it, grab it towards you ( it moves!) then give it, if you feel as if you don't have enough meat go to the vastus lateralis , outer side of thigh... You grab that thigh as you would grab a taco, hands full, pull it towards you... No mistakes, if you can give Vit K to babbies while in school, getting geriatrics is not much more different (aside from the fact you can pull their muscle and manipulate as you need) aspirate And go for it... I never hit a bone... It's all about the grab!

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