IM injection mistake

[Roscoe95]

I am in my final semester of nursing school and my aunt was prescribed 0.6 mls of methotrexate once a week to be injected. She was too nervous to do it herself so i offered to do it for her first injection. They gave her IM needles so I did everything correctly and then forgot to aspirate... now I'm slightly panicking and overthinking all of it. I'm even worried that I may have given the injection too low. She didn't complain of any pain at all and I've been checking up on her and she still feels fine. Am I overthinking and panicking for no reason?

[angeloublue22, BSN, RN]

There is a debate in nursing whether to aspirate or not, so if you didn't, it's not something to really worry about. This might help you. http://www.nnpnetwork.org/Uploads/EBP%20aspiration%20poster%209%2025%2012%20for%20iowa%20.pdf

You are definitely over thinking it. I'm sure you did well, especially since she's fine. Think about it, she was supposed to give that shot herself, do you think she would have been perfect at it? Take it easy on yourself.

[nalie2, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN, NP]

You're overthinking it. Some nurses don't aspirate and some nurses do. If your aunt is fine then don't worry :)

[Triddin]

Just as food for thought, check to see your BONs policies about providing care for family members. Let's say, somehow, something went terribly wrong. You technically are responsible for your aunts health in regards to that injection as you administered it, at least where I work.

[jj224]

I've never once aspirated with an IM injection. You're fine. Your aunt's fine. If it was inadvertantly injected intravenously, you would have known by now

[direw0lf, BSN]

You're in your FINAL semester! Get your needles and your little spongy practice thing from the lab and start drawing up "solution" and practicing IM, ID, SQ over and over until you are confident and study your landmarks. You just need confidence that's all.

[bjwojcik]

My only suggestion is to drop the s from mls.