Injecting into a blood vessel.

Nurses Medications

Published

Hi, I am a student Nurse and currently working in a depot clinic once weekly. I have tried to research what would happen if you were to IM inject into a blood vessel and not into a muscle?

Thank you.

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Depends on the med. Some meds cannot be given IV. Many IM meds are not formulated to go IV. Most dosages are higher.

You can give Morphine 10 mgs IM in one single dose but you cannot give Morphine 10mgs in one single IVP.

Thank you Esme12 for youre response. However, what if it was any IM injection and you injected into a blood vessel? I can not find any research anywhere, and there must be some hard evidence in why you could not inject into a vessel, I understad why you should inject into a muscle.

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

It depends on the med....give Morphine 10 mgs IVP and you'll soon see the patient have depressed respiration's and drop their B/P. Other meds may have crystal particles and you can cause an emboli with precipitate. Some can cause an allergic type reaction.

Other meds changing the route of administration even by accident can change the mechanism of absorption and effect of the med over all.....faster reaction, poss overdose, site reaction, over sedation possibility....

You need to check each drug individually.

Your research would be in the PDR/drug look up.

What makes you ask?

Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.

I think the OP is asking if an IM med was accidentally injected into a vessel that's in the muscle, not if an IM med was given IV instead. It's part of the whole to aspirate or not aspirate debate.

First, if an IM med was given in the approved site, the chances of hitting a vessel AND infusing the entire dose into the blood stream is very, very low, according to the CDC. Seeing a small amount of blood coming out of the injection tract in an appropriate IM injection site after needle removal does not mean that you've accidentally infused the entire medication into the bloodstream.

google the CDCs website for more information.

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

I know what they are asking...it still depends on the med. If I am giving Morphine 10 mgs IM and I get in a blood vessel...however remote...it would be like giving Morphine 10mg IVP and detrimental to the patient. Action onset and action of the med will be completely different depending on the med.

They are asking for evidence and studies...is this for school? What are they looking for? Did this happen to them?

Look it up in the PDR. I am not sure what they want.

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
CDC - Injection Safety

Thank you dudette10, I am still learning and it's great having feedback. I understand, I have been on CDC and it is a great website to use, but still not finding what would happen if we did inject into a blood vessel. Thank you though! I have given a injection in the past and when I pulled back there was no blood, but when I pulled the injection out blood came out. But I do know a lot of nurses which this has happened to.

Specializes in Hospice.

In 42 years at the bedside, I've only gotten a blood return on aspirating an IM twice. Both times the return was fairly pronounced and, yes, I was in a correct site (ventro-gluteal). The first time, I was giving colloidal gold, the second time procaine penicillin. Hate to think of the consequences of injecting even small amounts of either one IV. I agree that blood from the site after withdrawing the needle is common and does not indicate accidental iv administration. If the tip of the needle lands in a vessel as opposed to going through one, then you might have a problem.

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Thank you dudette10, I am still learning and it's great having feedback. I understand, I have been on CDC and it is a great website to use, but still not finding what would happen if we did inject into a blood vessel. Thank you though! I have given a injection in the past and when I pulled back there was no blood, but when I pulled the injection out blood came out. But I do know a lot of nurses which this has happened to.

I am going to say this again. IT DEPENDS ON THE MED that you are giving on what happens. Some meds will have a less effect some will have a bad effect, some may harm the patient, some will have a stronger effect. IT DEPENDS ON THE MED.

It is rare that when you give an IM if you aspararate and see blood. This has happened to me once and it was the first injection I had ever given....35 years ago.

It is not uncommon to have a little blood at the injection site when the needle is removed.....that does NOT mean you injected into the vein/blood vessel.

What semester are you?

Thank Heron! I have heard that it has happend a few times. Esme12, you can keep on saying it, but I do understand what you are trying to say it does depend on the medication however, I have asked a Doctor and it depend on how much you inject as well, it can be fatel and even lead to death.

I know it means that I might have not injected into the blood vessel I do have some knowledge obviously not up to your standards, however I am only sharing my nursing experiences, and you should respect that.

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Thank Heron! I have heard that it has happened a few times. Esme12, you can keep on saying it, but I do understand what you are trying to say it does depend on the medication however, I have asked a Doctor and it depend on how much you inject as well, it can be fatal and even lead to death.

I know it means that I might have not injected into the blood vessel I do have some knowledge obviously not up to your standards, however I am only sharing my nursing experiences, and you should respect that.

What are you talking about? I was, and still am, a little confused about what you needed or what you were asking. I have NO WAY implied that I felt you were not up to standard...mine or any one else.

You asked a question and didn't clarify what the experience was until later in the post. If you felt offended in some way then I am truly sorry. Members who have bee here a while will tell you I am the LAST person who judges and I am ALWAYS respectful. I am sorry you misunderstood.

It is a common practice with me to ask where the student is in in their education so I may best answer the question you are asking. Someone that is only a few weeks has a different knowledge base than a student about to graduate.

If you felt offended...than I apologize. I only sought to be helpful.

Blood on aspiration and blood when you remove the needle are two completely different situations. Blood on removal is just that bleeding from a superficial wound.

I wish you the best.

+ Add a Comment