Intramuscular injection can be given to the buttocks, arm or thigh, and is used to administer vaccines or medications such as Voltaren or Benzetacil, for example.
To give an intramuscular injection, the following steps must be followed:
- Intramuscular injections.
- Especially in infants or young children.
- Should only be given by a nurse or pharmacist trained to avoid serious complications.
- Such as infections.
- Abscesses or paralysis.
Intramuscular injection may be given to buttocks, arm or thigh, depending on the type of medicine and the amount to be administered:
To know the exact location of the intramuscular injection in the buttocks, you should divide the buttocks into 4 equal parts and place 3 fingers, diagonally, in the upper right quadrant, next to the intersection of imaginary lines, as shown in the first image. In this way, it is possible to avoid injury to the sciatic nerve that can cause paralysis.
When administered in the buttocks: this is the most commonly used site for injection of very thick medications or more than 3 mL, such as Voltaren, Coltrax or Benzetacil.
The location of the intramuscular injection in the arm is the triangle marked in the image:
When given in the arm: it is usually used to administer vaccines or medicines with less than 3 mL.
For thigh injection, the application site is located on the outer side, one hand above the knee and one hand under the femur, as shown in the image:
When administered in the thigh: This injection site is the safest because the risk of reaching a nerve or blood vessel is lower, so it should be preferred for someone who has little experience in taking injections.
A misused intramuscular injection may cause
Therefore, it is very important that the injection is given, preferably, by a qualified nurse or pharmacist, to avoid these complications that, in severe cases, can endanger the person’s life.
See some tips for pain-relieving the injection: