massage after IM injection?

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

So I'm reading various reference books, and it's telling me different things about what to do after an IM injection. One book says to discard the needle into a red bin right away while another says to massage the injection site first. I would choose to discard the needle first. So what is the better way?

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We are being taught not to massage. The rationale is that massage may cause minor tissue damage and would be of particular concern with any anticoagulant injection.

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Specializes in LPN, Peds, Public Health.

I find nothing wrong with massage unless contraindicated for the type of medication you are injecting.

I usually massage the kids' legs after I give them their vaccine. Not hard or vigorous, just a gentle run for a few seconds. I do the same with other IM injections I give.

As for the needle thing, I use safety needles 99% of the time so its not that big of a concern. Even if I dont, it doesnt take that long, i usually give the injection, stick the band ade on, give it a little rub then turn around and put my sharp into the sharps container.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I have massaged the arm after giving Anthrax, but that is per instructions. Otherwise, I had not.

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Specializes in LPN, Peds, Public Health.

I dont think its something you have to do, just a bit of a comfort measure for some patients. I have some that request that I do it.

Anthrax huh? Never gave that one... is it painful?

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.

I thought we weren't supposed to massage after IM injections? I received an IM immunization recently and the MA started rubbing my deltoid. When she started rubbing vigorously my head about spun around, I was so surprised.

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Specializes in LPN, Peds, Public Health.

i dont know of any reason to rub vigourasly... and i dont know if that had anything to do with your head spinning either.

as far as i know it is not contraindicated except with certain meds.

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.

smanion,

I meant I was so surprised at the vigorous rubbing, my head spun around to see what the MA was doing.

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Specializes in LPN, Peds, Public Health.

well i wouldnt rub vigorously like that! haha

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
I dont think its something you have to do, just a bit of a comfort measure for some patients. I have some that request that I do it.

Anthrax huh? Never gave that one... is it painful?

Extremely. I work as a vaccination nurse per diem for the US Army, and we administer some of those 'exotic' shots like Anthrax, Yellow Fever, Rabies, Smallpox, etc... I have seen people's veins and arms swell immediately after administration. Is a common side effect, amongest others.

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Specializes in LPN, Peds, Public Health.

wow that sounds way cool. not the side effect part, but i defiantely have a huge interest in immunizations!

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

My texts have conflicting instructions about massage as well. One, (Taylor) has a pretty good rationale for NOT massaging though, that massaging can force the medication into subcutaneous tissue.

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