Im Injections

Lurksalot, BSN, RN · May 18, 2006

I actually learned to give IMs on horses--big hulking stallions, no less, with necks wider than my hips. They were big sissies, though, and got lots of shots, so they would anticipate and lean their necks and bodies into me as I swabbed them for a shot. I learned to hold the needle like a dart, and then tap, tap, tap, them a few times with the flat of my fist and then dart it. They relaxed after the first "tap" and didn't mind the shot going in.

Haven't had to try that yet on a person, but it has crossed my mind!

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · May 18, 2006

I was watching the mornign news and a doctor was on and said if you don't like the pain associated with injections then cough while getting injected. So I tried it and sure enough it worked! He said it blocked the nerves from feeling the pain or something.

allnurses Guide · May 18, 2006

I would tend to resent anyone slapping my backside while giving me a shot :uhoh21: but maybe that's just me.

Quick dart, slow push, then I do a slow 1-2-3 count, before quickly withdrawing. I get less back along the route that way, hate those leaky shots! Also, I tell people it hurts less if they can relax the muscle, so take a deep breath, and blow out like they are blowing on a candle on the other side of the room, really seems to help. I've had lots of people say it didn't hurt much that way.

If the drug book says deep IM, always go backside, delt will reallly hurt with those meds.

errn1968 · Aug 13, 2006

Oh, I have a great technique. You won't believe this but give the IM in a stretch mark on the butt. I swear, it works every time and I you don't have to dart it in, just smoothly go right on a stretch mark. Something is different with the nerve endings there and the skin is so much easier to get through. This tip came from my mom who was a nurse long before all of us... she is 65 now and It truly truly works...almost every butt I have seen has at least a couple of stretch marks, even the skinny people. Kids are a different story, I think speed is the key because it's gonna hurt. But please try the stretch mark technique and tell all of your co-workers it is a great kept secret.