Parenteral Medication

Administration

1413

Ethical Legal Factors

Right to refuse
Liability
Nerve Damage
Into a vein or artery
Infiltration / Extravasation
Tissue Damage
Unapproved site
Dorsal Gluteal may be unacceptable at your
facility

Minimize Discomfort
Position muscle for relaxed tone
Distraction with conversation &
instructions, visual imagery,
relaxation techniques
Dart-like quick entry for smooth
tissue separation (its in the wrist
action!!)

What are other ways to

Minimize Discomfort

Safety Considerations
When preparing multiple injections, always label
the syringe immediately
Keep the medication container with the syringe
Do not rely on memory to determine which solution is
in which syringe

Carefully monitor the patient for any adverse

effects for at least 5 minutes after administration
of any medication
Handle multi-dose vials carefully and with aseptic
technique so that medicines are not wasted or
contaminated

Whats Sterile
When can contamination occur?
How can contamination be avoided?

What do you need to know

about Injection Sites?

Injection Sites - Deltoid

Location: upper arm
Landmarks: Acromion Process, axillary fold
Muscle mass: triangle apex at axillary line and
base of triangle 2-3 finger breadths below
acromion process.
Injection area: in the middle of the triangle / into
belly of the muscle mass. Avoid Brachial artery
& Radial nerve (BARN)
http://www.austincc.edu/health/rnsg/skills/injectio
nSites.htm

Deltoid
Should not be
used in infants or
children because
of the muscles
small size.
Injection volume
should not
exceed 1ml in
the adult
Use a 23-28
gauge, 5/8 to 1
inch needle
Rarely used for
hospitalized
patients.
Primarily used for
immunizations.

Injection Sites - Ventrogluteal

Location: lateral (ventral) side of the hip
Landmarks: Iliac crest, anterosuperior illiac
spine, greater trochanter of femur
Muscle mass: Gluteus medius and
minimus
Injection area: opposing palm of hand over
greater trochanter, middle finger pointed
toward the iliac crest, index finger toward
anterosuperior iliac spine. Inject into the
triangle created by these fingers. No major
vessels / nerves.

Ventrogluteal

Vastus Lateralis
Location: anterolateral aspect of the thigh
Landmarks: greater trochanter, lateral femoral
condyle
Muscle mass: vastus lateralis muscle
Injection area: between one handbreadth
below the greater trochanter and one
handbreadth above the knee. Width of area
is from the midline on the anterior surface of
the thigh to midline on the lateral thigh. Best
to inject into outer middle third of the thigh.
No major vessels or nerves to avoid.

Vastus Lateralis

Identify the greater trochanter

and the lateral femoral
condyle
Select the site using the
middle third and the anterior
lateral aspect of the thigh.

Dorsal Gluteal
Most Dangerous site,
Trend is away from use
Location: Upper lateral aspect of the buttock
Landmarks: Posterior superior iliac spine,
greater trochanter
Muscle mass: Gluteus maximus muscle
Injection area: Draw an imaginary line between
the anatomic landmarks listed above.
Administer the injection lateral and slightly
superior (2 inches) to the midpoint of this line.
Avoid the sciatic nerve & superior gluteal artery

Dorsal Gluteal

Z - track
Seals the medication into the muscle tissue.
Minimizes subcutaneous tissue irritation from
tracking of the medication as the needle is
withdrawn.
Used more frequently now to decrease
discomfort and pain.
Used for irritating medications (Vistaril) and
tissue staining meds (iron dextran Imferon).
Use in ventrogluteal or dorsogluteal sites

Z - track: An intramuscular injection technique

designed to deposit medications deep into muscle tissue
Release the lateral slide of tissue ONLY after needle has been
completely withdrawn.

Subcutaneous (SC or SQ)

Common drugs given SQ:
Anticoagulants
Insulin
Erythropoitic agents
Some Analgesics (-caine type drugs)

Injection Technique Anticoagulants

Heparin
Always lookup and read about med prior to
administration
Check dosage carefully: some policy req. 2nd nurse
Requires drawing up from vial; needs air lock
Abdomen SQ area only; deep into tissue
No aspiration; no massage after withdrawal due to
risk of precipitating bleeding
Rotate sites

Anticoagulant Injection Technique

Lovenox
(enoxaparin sodium)
Look up med prior to
administration
Commonly dispensed
in pre-filled syringe
Safety syringe: firmly
depress plunger
AFTER removal from
tissue to activate
safety seal

 Lovenox Bruise site correct??

What do you think of this site for

heparin?

Intradermal
Drugs that are intradermally injected are agents
for diagnostic determinations, desensitization, or
immunization.
For this route of administration, 0.1 ml of
solution is the maximum volume that can be
administered.
Document date, time, and location of ID site in
med record; include projected date to be read

Patient education: may sting like an ant bite

ANY QUESTIONS SO FAR?