How to give an injection to a person. Intramuscular injection technique for young children - video on how to give an injection to a child

Medicinal injections can be done at home, observing all precautions and the administration algorithm.

Features of intramuscular injections

Intramuscular injection (injection) is a parenteral method of administering a drug, previously converted into a solution, by injecting it into the thickness of the muscle structures with a needle. All injections are classified into 2 main types - intramuscular and intravenous. If injections for intravenous administration must be entrusted to professionals, then intramuscular administration can be carried out both in the hospital and at home. Intramuscular injection can also be practiced by people who are far from medicine, including teenagers, if constant injection treatment is necessary. The following anatomical zones are suitable for injection:

    gluteal region(upper square);

    hip(external side);

    shoulder area.

Administration to the femoral region is preferable, but the choice of injection site depends on the nature of the drug. Antibacterial drugs are traditionally placed in the gluteal region due to high pain. Before the injection is administered, the patient needs to relax as much as possible, sit comfortably on a couch, sofa, table. Conditions must be conducive to the administration of the drug. If a person injects himself independently, the muscles of the injection area should be relaxed while the arm is tense.

Intramuscular injections are the best alternative to oral medications due to the rapidity of action of the active substance and minimizing the risk of side effects from the gastrointestinal tract.

Parenteral administration significantly reduces the risks of allergic reactions and drug intolerance.

Pros and cons of injections

The rate of maximum concentration of drugs for intramuscular injection is slightly lower than for drugs for infusion (intravenous) administration, but not all drugs are intended for administration through venous access. This is due to the possibility of damage to the venous walls and a decrease in the activity of the medicinal substance. Aqueous and oily solutions and suspensions can be administered intramuscularly.

The advantages of drugs for intramuscular administration are the following:

    the possibility of introducing solutions of different structures;

    the possibility of introducing depot preparations for better transport of the active substance, to provide a prolonged result;

    rapid entry into the blood;

    introduction of substances with pronounced irritating properties.

The disadvantages include the difficulty of self-injection into the gluteal region, the risk of nerve damage when inserting a needle, and the danger of getting into a blood vessel with complex medicinal compositions.

Some drugs are not administered intramuscularly. Thus, calcium chloride can provoke necrotic tissue changes in the area of ​​needle insertion, inflammatory foci of varying depth. Certain knowledge will allow you to avoid unpleasant consequences from improper administration of injections in violation of technology or safety rules.

Consequences of incorrect setting

The main causes of complications after erroneous administration are considered to be various violations of the technique of administering injection drugs and non-compliance with the antiseptic treatment regimen. The consequences of errors are the following reactions:

    embolic reactions, when a needle with an oil solution penetrates the wall of a vessel;

    the formation of infiltration and compaction due to non-compliance with the aseptic regime and constant administration in the same place;

    abscess due to infection of the injection site;

    nerve damage due to incorrect choice of injection site;

    atypical allergic reactions.

To reduce the risk of side effects, you should relax the muscle as much as possible. This will avoid breaking thin needles when administering the drug. Before administration, you need to know the rules for the injection procedure.

How to do it correctly - instructions

Before insertion, the area of ​​intended insertion must be inspected for integrity. It is contraindicated to inject into an area with visible skin lesions, especially those of a pustular nature. The area should be palpated for the presence of tubercles and compactions. The skin should come together well without causing pain. Before administration, the skin is folded and the drug is injected. This manipulation helps to safely administer the drug to children, adults and malnourished patients.

What is needed for the injection?

To streamline the procedure, everything you need should be at hand. Also, a place for treatment must be equipped. If multiple injections are necessary, a separate room or corner for administering the injection is suitable. Giving an injection requires preparation of the site, the working area and the injection site on the human body. To carry out the procedure you will need the following items:

    medicinal solution or dry substance in an ampoule;

    three-component syringe with a volume of 2.5 to 5 ml (according to the dosage of the drug);

    cotton balls soaked in an alcohol solution;

    ampoules with saline solution and other solvent (if necessary, introducing powder).

Before the injection, you should check the integrity of the drug packaging, as well as the ease of opening the container. This will allow you to avoid unforeseen factors when giving an injection, especially when it comes to young children.

Preparation for the process

To prepare, you should use the following step-by-step algorithm:

    the workplace must be clean, the paraphernalia must be covered with a clean cotton towel;

    the integrity of the ampoule must not be compromised, the expiration dates and storage conditions of the medicine must be observed;

    The ampoule should be shaken before administration (unless otherwise indicated in the instructions);

    the tip of the ampoule is treated with alcohol, filed or broken;

    After taking the medicine, it is tedious to release excess air from the syringe container.

The patient should be in a supine position, which reduces the risk of spontaneous muscle contraction and needle fracture. Relaxation reduces pain, risks of injury and unpleasant consequences after insertion.

Administration of the drug

After selecting a location, the area is cleared of clothing, palpated and treated with an antiseptic. When inserting into the gluteal region, it is necessary to press your left hand to the buttock so that the area of ​​intended insertion is between the index and thumb. This allows the skin to be fixed. With your left hand, slightly stretch the skin at the injection site. The injection is made with sharp, confident movements with a slight swing. For painless insertion, the needle should enter 3/4 of the length.

The optimal needle length for intramuscular injection is no more than 4 cm. The needle can be inserted at a slight angle or vertically. The protective cap from the needle is removed immediately before the injection.

After insertion, the syringe is intercepted with the left hand to securely fix it, and the piston is pressed with the right hand and the medicine is gradually injected. If you inject too quickly, a lump may form. After completion, alcoholized cotton wool is applied to the injection area, after which the needle is removed. The injection site should be massaged with an alcohol-soaked cotton ball to prevent the formation of a lump. This will also eliminate the risk of infection.

If the injection is given to a child, it is better to prepare a small syringe with a small and thin needle. Before conducting, it is recommended to grab the skin into a fold along with the muscle. Before injecting yourself, you should practice in front of a mirror to choose the optimal position.

Features of insertion into the buttock

Insertion into the buttock is considered the traditional injection site. To correctly determine the area of ​​intended injection, the buttock is conventionally divided into a square and the upper right or upper left is selected. These areas are safe from accidental needle or drug entry into the sciatic nerve. You can define the zone differently. You need to step back down from the protruding pelvic bones. This will not be difficult for slender patients.

Intramuscular injections can be water or oil. When injecting an oil solution, the needle must be inserted carefully so as not to damage the blood vessels. Drugs for administration should be at room temperature (unless otherwise indicated). This way the medicine disperses throughout the body faster and is easier to administer. When injecting an oil preparation, after inserting the needle, the piston is pulled towards itself. If there is no blood, the procedure is completed painlessly. If blood appears in the syringe reservoir, you should slightly change the depth or angle of the needle. In some cases, it is necessary to replace the needle and try again to inject.

Before inserting a needle into the buttock, you should practice yourself in front of a mirror and completely relax during the manipulation.

The following step-by-step instructions should be followed:

  1. inspect the ampoule for integrity and expiration dates;
  2. shake the contents so that the medicine is evenly distributed throughout the ampoule;
  3. treat the intended injection site with alcohol;
  4. remove the protective cap from the needle and the drug;
  5. inject the medicine into the syringe reservoir;
  6. gather the skin into a fold and press the buttock with your left hand so that the injection area is between the index and thumb;
  7. administer the drug;
  8. apply alcohol-soaked cotton wool and pull out the needle;
  9. massage the injection area.

The alcohol cotton wool should be thrown away 10-20 minutes after the injection. If the injection is given to a small child, you should resort to the help of third parties to immobilize the baby. Any sudden movement during injection can lead to a broken needle and increased pain from the injection of the drug.

In the thigh

The insertion zone into the thigh is the vastus lateralis muscle. Unlike insertion into the gluteal muscle, the syringe is inserted with two fingers of one hand using the principle of holding a pencil. This measure prevents the needle from entering the periosteum or sciatic nerve structure. To carry out the manipulation, the following rules must be observed:

    muscles should be relaxed:

    patient's posture - sitting with knees bent;

    palpating the area of ​​intended injection;

    antiseptic surface treatment;

    insertion and fixation of the syringe;

    injection of a medicinal product;

    clamp the insertion area with a cotton ball soaked in alcohol;

    massaging the injection area.

If there is a significant amount of subcutaneous fat in the thigh area, it is recommended to take a needle of at least 6 mm. When administering the drug to children or debilitated patients, the injection area is formed in the form of a fold, which necessarily includes the lateral muscle. This will ensure that the drug reaches the muscle and reduce the pain of the injection.

In the shoulder

Administration into the shoulder is due to difficult penetration and absorption of the drug during subcutaneous administration. Also, localization is chosen if the injection is painful and difficult to tolerate by children and adults. The injection is placed in the deltoid muscle of the shoulder, provided that other areas are inaccessible for manipulation or several injections are required. Insertion into the shoulder requires dexterity and skill, despite the accessibility of the intended insertion area.

The main danger is damage to nerves, blood vessels, and the formation of inflammatory foci. The basic rules for giving an injection in the shoulder are as follows:

    determination of the area of ​​intended introduction;

    palpation and disinfection of the injection area;

    fixing the syringe and confidently inserting the needle;

    injecting the solution, applying alcohol wool and withdrawing the needle.

To determine the zone, it is necessary to conditionally divide the upper part of the arm into 3 parts. To inject, you need to select the middle lobe. The shoulder should be free of clothing. At the moment of the injection, the arm should be bent. The subcutaneous injection should be made at an angle at the base of the muscle structure, and the skin should be folded.

Security measures

Injections are a minimally invasive procedure, so it is important to follow all precautions. Knowledge will help prevent the risks of complications in the form of local reactions and inflammation. The basic rules include the following:

    If there is a series of procedures, then the injection area should be changed every day. You cannot give the injection in the same place. Alternating the injection zone reduces the pain of injection and reduces the risk of hematomas, papules, and bruises.

    It is important to ensure the integrity of the packaging of the drug and the syringe. You only need to use a disposable syringe. Sterility in injection matters is the main aspect of safety.

    If there are no conditions for unhindered administration of the drug on the patient’s body, it is better to use a 2-cc syringe and a thin needle. This way there will be fewer seals, less pain, and the drug will disperse faster into the bloodstream.

    Used syringes, needles, and solution ampoules should be disposed of as household waste. Used cotton wool, gloves, and packaging must also be thrown away.

If the oil solution gets into the blood, an embolism may develop, so before injection you should pull the syringe plunger towards you. If during this manipulation blood begins to enter the syringe reservoir, this indicates that the needle has entered a blood vessel. To do this, you need to change its direction and depth without removing the needle. If the injection does not work, you should replace the needle and inject in another place. If no blood enters during the reverse movement of the piston, then you can safely complete the injection.

You can learn how to give injections at special courses at medical colleges or institutes. Self-education can help you start treatment long before visiting a doctor, during a remote consultation. Also, this can help organize early discharge from hospitals, as there is no need for constant assistance from nursing staff. Self-prescription of drugs and determination of the injection zone without consulting a doctor is prohibited. Before administering the medicine, you can read the instructions again.

What happens if you do not completely knock out the air from the syringe and inject several air bubbles into the muscle or under the skin?


Can I give several injections with one needle?
Make one puncture, inject one medicine first, disconnect the syringe, leaving the needle in the muscle, then insert another syringe with the second medicine and inject it? I don't want to make an extra puncture!

Theoretically, with the introduction of certain drugs, it is possible, but practically, the reduction of pain is questionable, and complications are likely.

In any case, this can only be done if the medications are compatible.
In practice, administering two drugs without changing the needle position is equivalent to mixing two drugs in one syringe. Some drugs may cause undesirable reactions when mixed in this way. Sharing your desire to inject less, we still advise you to check with the doctor who prescribed the injections whether the drugs prescribed for you can be mixed in one syringe.
In addition, leaving a needle in a muscle and repeatedly connecting a syringe to it, in terms of pain, is even worse than several punctures of the skin: the left needle will “pick” the muscle when you insert the syringe, the injured muscle will hurt both during and after injection.
In addition, drugs introduced in this way (“in one hole”) will create a greater load on the muscle area, and it is even more likely that a seal will result as an undesirable consequence of the injection. You can read more about how to give an injection without pain in this article on the site about syringes and injections.


How can you get rid of bruises on the buttocks that remain after iron injections and have not gone away for 1 year?

Unfortunately, some drugs (for example, iron supplements) are absorbed very poorly and leave bruises that do not go away for a long time (including a year or longer).
However, in general, bruises do not pose a significant danger; rather, they are a cosmetic defect.
To eliminate old bruises, you can try compresses with Lyoton, compresses with Dimexide (1:5 with water) at home, and physical procedures in a clinic are also recommended (electrophoresis or ultraphonophoresis with heparin, potassium iodine).
If there is no effect, an in-person consultation with a surgeon may be necessary.


Is it possible to take tablets instead of injections?

It is possible, but not always desirable.
Tablets, passing through the digestive tract, enter a chemically active environment - digestive acids, enzymes - which, interacting with medications, destroy them (tablets), reducing their effectiveness and medicinal properties.
Chemical compounds formed during the interaction of drugs with digestive enzymes can provoke the development of gastritis and other diseases, such as stomach ulcers. A drug introduced into the body by injection almost instantly reaches the diseased organ unchanged and without irritating the digestive system.
In addition, different forms of the drug (drops, tablets, suppositories, injection solution, etc.) and the associated route of entry of the drug into the body have different therapeutic effects, which for a number of diseases must be achieved using a specific method of administering the drug to the body.
Therefore, the decision to prescribe one or another form of the drug is made by the doctor based on a number of factors, and you should not change the form of the drug without the consent of the attending physician.


Is it possible to take a shower (bath) during a course of injections?

Take a hygienic shower as often as you need - especially before injections, this is not only possible, but also necessary.
After taking the injections, press the injection site with cotton wool soaked in alcohol so as not to infect the injection site, take a shower an hour or two after the injection.


After taking the drug from the ampoule, is it necessary to change the needle on the syringe before the injection? For what?

If the medicine was previously in an ampoule with a rubber cap, which must be pierced to draw the medicine - after drawing the medicine, It's better to change the needle. Since the needle, having pierced the elastic band in the ampoule cap, becomes dull - and, obviously, the sharper the needle, the less painful the injection.
There are also certain types of medications (insulin, for example), for which the instructions include a note: “change the needle,” in such cases the needle must be changed.
Or, for example, you took the medicine and touched the needle, in which case it also needs to be changed in order to avoid complications associated with infection.

Why does blood come out after an injection? Is it dangerous?

If after you give the injection, blood comes out, this indicates that you have touched a blood vessel.
It's not dangerous. Press the injection site with a cotton swab and alcohol and hold for about five minutes. If the blood does not leak out, but under the skin, a bruise will form. Apply ice immediately, and on the second day - a heating pad to help the bruise resolve faster.


When opening the ampoule, the glass sometimes crumbles and gets into the syringe along with the medicine. What happens if such fragments get into a muscle or a vessel?

The probability of glass chips from an ampoule getting into the body is considered to be almost zero, so we can say that there is no reason to worry - you are more likely to cut yourself on the edges of the ampoule than glass fragments get into the syringe. At the same time, according to the rules of injection, a crumbled ampoule must be thrown away. Let's consider the situation with glass inside the ampoule in detail. In order for a fragment of an ampoule to get into the syringe, it must pass through the needle. The diameter of the injection needle is quite small (the outer diameter of a standard needle for intramuscular injections is 0.6 mm, the inner diameter is even smaller), so it is extremely unlikely that a fragment of the ampoule will pass through this hole. All glass fragments (both larger particles and microparticles) will of course fall to the bottom of the solution. In this case, you can protect yourself this way: when taking the drug, do not lower the needle to the bottom of the ampoule if the purpose allows you to leave part of the solution in the ampoule. In the liquid remaining in the ampoule, there will be fragments at the bottom. If we nevertheless consider the theoretical possibility that a microscopic fragment of the ampoule will pass through the needle, enter the syringe, and from there into the patient’s muscle, the following will probably happen: such a foreign body will “be delimited” and a compaction will form around it. And most likely, the patient will not even feel it. Read how to avoid breaking off ampoule fragments on this page of the site.


Will the needle hit the bone during an intramuscular injection?

The likelihood of hitting the periosteum is extremely low. To protect the patient from this possibility, it is first necessary to choose the right injection site. The best place for an intramuscular injection is the upper outer part of the buttock, this is the muscle least likely to hit a blood vessel, nerve or bone when injected.
Read more about intramuscular injections: read.


Why is the intramuscular injection given exactly where it is done (outer upper quarter)?

To avoid complications. In this area, there is little chance of the needle hitting a blood vessel, nerve or bone.

The main thing, when you give an injection in the buttock, is to try to ensure that the needle gets into the muscle and does not remain in the fat layer - otherwise the medicine will be wasted and, in addition, a lump may form at the injection site, which will take a long time to dissolve.

Usually it is enough to insert the needle to a depth of 2 - 3 cm, which can be done with a 0.6x30 or 0.7x30 needle, which is supplied with syringes for intramuscular injections. If your patient’s constitution raises doubts about the possibility of effectively performing an injection with standard needles, take a longer needle, for example, 0.8x40.


Is it possible to inject with the same needle if you accidentally pull out the syringe before the end of the drug administration?

To prevent this from happening, you need to adhere to the rules for performing the injection.
If for some reason you pull out the syringe earlier than expected, do not be alarmed, calm down and try the injection again.
You don't have to change the needle in the event that you give an injection to the same person - given that if, when pulling the syringe out of the buttock, the needle did not come into contact with foreign objects (for example, it did not fall on the floor).


Why does the intramuscular injection have to be done so deep (about 3 cm)?

The intramuscular injection needs to be done so deep (about 3 cm for an adult patient, and about 2 cm for a child) so that the medicine reaches its intended purpose - into the muscle tissue, and not, say, into the fat layer.
If you inject shallowly and the medicine does not get into the muscle, the medicine will be wasted, in addition, a lump may form at the injection site, which will take a long time to dissolve.

Each type of injection has its own method of administering the medicine and this fact should not be ignored in order to achieve maximum results.
Standard needles for intramuscular injections in adults are 3 cm long (0.6x30 and 0.7x30), for large patients it is better to take a needle 4 cm long (0.8x40). For children, there is a special syringe with a shorter and thinner needle - BogMark 3 ml syringe with a 0.5x25 needle.


How to give an injection without hurting?

To minimize pain during intramuscular administration of the drug, the following measures can be recommended:
1) use good syringes with sharp needles
2) injections must be taken exclusively in a lying position. The gluteal muscle should be completely relaxed; for better relaxation of the foot muscles, turn your toes inward. Many patients prefer to remove all clothing below the waist so that nothing interferes with the relaxation of the muscles of the buttocks and legs.
3) Before the injection, massage well the muscle into which the injection will be made, intensively rub the injection site with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.
4) The drug must be administered slowly, smoothly - this will make it easier for the muscle to accept it, and the pain with slow administration will be significantly reduced. To administer the drug slowly, it is better to use a three-component syringe: the rubber seal on its piston allows you to inject the drug smoothly and at the required speed.
5) when introducing the medicine and removing the needle, try to hold the syringe at the same angle so that the needle does not “pick” the muscle. Well, of course, follow all the other rules of injection - use a needle of the correct length, follow the rules of asepsis, etc. On the pages of the Site about syringes and injections, the site can read in detail about preparing and performing an injection at home.


Do I need to massage the injection site after the injection?

After an intramuscular injection, and unless otherwise indicated in the instructions for the drug, - Yes.
Massaging the puncture site after the injection improves blood circulation and helps distribute the medicine in the tissues. In addition, wiping the injection site with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol is a good means of disinfection.


It happens that you need to get an injection, but there is no doctor nearby. And you have to turn to relatives and those who are nearby. There are craftsmen who can inject themselves, but this is not a very good idea, if only because it is inconvenient. It is better to give instructions to a person who is ready to help with the procedure.

Step 1: Prepare everything you need

Soap. Not necessarily antibacterial.

Towel. It should be clean, or better yet, disposable.

Plate. You will need to put all the tools on it. At home it is difficult to disinfect the table surface, for example, so you have to work from a plate. It must be washed with soap and wiped with an antiseptic - an alcohol wipe or cotton wool with alcohol or chlorhexidine.

Gloves. At home, gloves are often neglected, but in vain. Since there is no question of any sterility here, gloves are especially needed to protect both the patient and the person giving the injection from the transmission of infections.

Syringes. The volume of the syringe must correspond to the volume of the medicine. If the medicine needs to be diluted, then keep in mind that it is better to take a larger syringe.

Needles. They will be needed if the medicine needs to be diluted. For example, if a dry drug is sold in an ampoule with a rubber cap, then it is diluted as follows:

  1. The solvent is drawn into the syringe.
  2. The rubber cap is pierced with a needle and the solvent is released into the ampoule.
  3. Shake the ampoule without removing the needle to dissolve the medicine.
  4. Draw the solution back into the syringe.

After this, the needle must be changed, because the one that has already pierced the rubber cap is not suitable for an injection: it is not sharp enough.

Antiseptic or alcohol wipes. You need 70% alcohol, an antiseptic based on it, or chlorhexidine. For home use, it is best to use disposable alcohol wipes, which are sold at any pharmacy.

Place for trash. You will have to put waste material somewhere: packaging, lids, napkins. It’s better to immediately throw them into a separate box, basket, or wherever is convenient for you, so that it all doesn’t end up on a plate with clean tools.

Step 2: Learn to wash your hands

You will have to wash your hands three times: before collecting the instruments, before the injection and after the procedure. If it seems like a lot, it does.

Lifehacker wrote about how to properly wash your hands. This one has all the basic moves, but add a couple more to them: lather each finger on both hands and your wrists separately.

Step 3: Prepare the area

Choose a convenient place so that you can place a plate with tools and easily reach it. Another mandatory attribute is good lighting.

It does not matter how the person receiving the injection is positioned. He can stand or lie down, whichever is more comfortable for him. But the one who injects should also be comfortable so that his hands do not shake and he does not have to jerk the needle during the injection. So choose a position that suits everyone.

If you are afraid of injecting in the wrong place, before the procedure, draw a hefty cross directly on your buttock.

First, draw a vertical line in the middle of the buttock, then a horizontal one. The upper outer corner is where you can stab. If you're still scared, draw a circle in this corner. For artistic painting, at least an old lipstick or cosmetic pencil is suitable, just make sure that particles of these products do not get on the injection site.

While the patient lies and is afraid, we begin the procedure.

Step 4. Do everything in order

  1. Wash your hands and plate.
  2. Treat your hands and plate with antiseptic. Throw away the cotton wool or napkin immediately after processing.
  3. Open five alcohol wipes or make as many cotton balls with antiseptic. Place them on a plate.
  4. Take out the medicine ampoule and syringe, but do not open them yet.
  5. Wash your hands.
  6. Put on gloves and treat them with antiseptic.
  7. Take the ampoule with the medicine, treat it with an antiseptic and open it. Place the ampoule on a plate.
  8. Open the package with the syringe.
  9. Open the needle and draw the medicine into the syringe.
  10. Turn the syringe with the needle up and release the air.
  11. Treat the patient's buttock with an alcohol or antiseptic wipe. First - a large area. Then take another napkin and wipe the place where you will inject. Movements for processing - from the center to the periphery or from bottom to top, in one direction.
  12. Take the syringe in a way that is convenient for you. The needle should be perpendicular to the skin. Insert the needle in one motion. There is no need to push it all the way so as not to break it: 0.5–1 cm should remain outside.
  13. Administer the medicine. Take your time, make sure that the syringe and needle do not dangle or twitch. You can hold the syringe with one hand and press the plunger with the other.
  14. Take the last alcohol wipe or cotton wool, place it next to the injection site and in one motion, pull out the needle to quickly apply pressure to the wound.
  15. Don't rub anything with the napkin, just press and hold.
  16. Throw away used tools.
  17. Wash your hands.

If the injection is painful, inject the medicine slowly. It seems that the faster, the sooner a person will be exhausted, but in fact, a slow introduction is more comfortable. Average speed - 1 ml in 10 seconds.

Don’t be afraid to treat the ampoule, hands or skin with an antiseptic once again. Here it is better to overwork than to underwork.

If you need to change needles after drawing up medication, do not remove the cap from the new one until you install it on the syringe. Otherwise, you can inject yourself. For the same reason, never try to cap a needle if you have already removed it.

If you don't know how hard to stick a needle, at least practice on chicken fillet. Just to understand that it's not scary.

When to give an injection without specialists

  1. If the drug was not prescribed by a doctor. In general, there is no need to engage in self-medication, much less injections, even if for some reason you want to “inject some vitamins.” The drug, its dosage, how to dilute it - all this is determined by the doctor, and only he.
  2. If the patient has never taken this drug before. Many medications have side effects and can cause unwanted reactions. Medicines that are administered through injections enter the bloodstream faster, so reactions to them appear quickly and strongly. Therefore, it is better to do the first injection in a medical facility and not rush to run away from there, but wait 5-10 minutes so that everything is in order. If something goes wrong, the clinic will help, but at home you may not be able to cope.
  3. When you have the opportunity to use the services of doctors, but don’t want to. An intramuscular injection is short-lived and inexpensive, but doing it at home can end up ending, so you won’t be able to save either money or time.
  4. When the person requiring the shot has HIV, hepatitis or other blood-borne infections, or if it is not known whether the person has these infections (no valid certificate). In this case, it is better to entrust the matter to specialists in order to eliminate the risk of infection: doctors have more experience, and they will then dispose of the instruments properly.
  5. If you are very scared and your hands are shaking so much that you do not hit the patient.

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you urgently need to get an injection, but there are no medical workers nearby? They urgently look for transport, take them far away to the hospital, and all for the sake of one injection. And sometimes the doctor prescribes a series of procedures and you have to look for someone who will come to the patient for money and give injections.
But giving injections is not difficult. This can be easily learned. Let's learn how to give an injection yourself.

Take a look at the photo below.

This is the conditional passage of the sciatic nerve in the form of a red thread through the buttocks. Yes, yes, I foresee a puzzled question: why the hell do we need this?

Believe me, it is very important for you to know where the sciatic nerve is located. This knowledge will help you if you have to give an injection in the butt to one of your friends or relatives yourself. Since the nerve is very thick, literally as thick as a finger, if you hit it with a syringe, your patient can jump so hard from hellish pain that he breaks the needle.

But this nerve is not visible from the outside. How to find the right place on the buttock: the place where you can put the injection. First, let's determine the place where the nerve exit point is located.

If you draw a segment through two points, then its middle will be the place where the nerve exits and then passes close to the surface. Points: a point on the hip joint, the so-called femoral trochanter, and the point on the convexity of the buttocks - the gluteal tubercle.

Under no circumstances should an injection be given at this point where the nerve exits.
All medical workers are taught how to give injections correctly. Let's learn from them. I present to your attention the advice of doctors.

Where to give the injection

We mentally divide the buttock into 4 parts with a cross and place an injection in the upper outer square, where there is no sciatic nerve, only muscles. Take a look at the photo: I divided the buttock into quadrants with a blue line, and with a red circle I highlighted the area into which the syringe needle is inserted.

And on the right, the arrow indicated the location of the sciatic nerve inside the buttock. See how it passes along the buttock. Is it clear why we choose the upper outer quadrant? It just contains muscle mass. If we place the injection correctly, we will not damage the sciatic nerve.

How to give an injection in the buttock correctly

Two comments.

Since everyone’s buttocks are different: they can be very thick, to be sure that you have given the injection correctly, the needle must be injected deeply.

And one more important note: you must always hold the needle so that it does not fall off the syringe itself.

1. At the beginning of the procedure, we disinfect our hands: we wash them.

2. We open the sterile disposable syringe from the piston side and look at the photo: without removing the needle from the bag, we immediately put it on the syringe.

3. Let's put all this on clean dishes.

4. Take the ampoule and be sure to wipe the head of the ampoule with alcohol.

5. Modern ampoules come with a notch: this is the place where you need to break off the top of the ampoule. Therefore, at the place of the notch, we simply break off the head of the ampoule.

6. The needle opens, is inserted into the ampoule, the solution is drawn, and the needle is immediately closed.

7. We put it on a sterile container and go to our butt.

8. Now we wipe the future injection site with alcohol. Let us immediately note that there is no need to rub the injection site, just run an alcohol cotton swab over the skin, as if covering the area with alcohol. It tans the skin and kills germs.

And yet, doctors say that, according to the rules, the skin should be wiped in the direction from the intergluteal fold to the side, although they themselves consider this rule to be paranoid, since this is not the skin of the face, where the direction of the muscles is taken into account.

9. Now let's remove the air from the syringe. Holding the base of the needle, lift the syringe up and slowly press the plunger, pushing out the air until droplets of medicine appear. The needle must be held, because with air pressure it can shoot and fly off the syringe.

Now we will show you how to insert a needle.

First appointment.

You need to put your hand on the area where you will inject, as if limiting the outer quadrant for yourself and holding this place in case the patient suddenly moves.

Feel with your hand so that the patient does not tense the buttocks. If the patient has tensed his buttocks, then there is no need to inject the injection at this moment: it will be painful. Try to distract the patient using the following techniques. Hold the syringe as you feel most comfortable.


Second appointment.

This is a purely psychological trick. We spread the fabric as far apart as possible. When we spread the tissue, the patient feels it, is distracted and may not even feel the needle entering.


Third appointment.

It is often used by nurses. They do not lay a hand on them, but slap their palm over the area around the injection site, and while the patient recovers from the slap, he is given an injection.

10. Let's make a sharp injection, leaving about ¼ of the needle outside. Then you need to be sure to pull the needle slightly towards yourself to make sure that you do not hit a blood vessel. And if there is no blood, then you calmly, slowly administer the medicine.

11. After injecting the medicine, apply a cotton swab containing alcohol to the injection site to stop the blood flow.

As you can see, everything is quite simple. Explanations take longer than the procedure itself.

I wish you never have to use these skills: health to your family and friends.

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Intramuscular injections are the most common route of drug administration. Most often, injections are given in the buttock, but some clinics practice using the rectus femoris muscle for this purpose, which is also considered acceptable.

There are situations when the doctor prescribes a course of treatment for us or our relatives with drugs that are administered intramuscularly. Many people believe that injections are a responsible undertaking, so they turn to a qualified nurse for help. In fact, you can do an injection into the muscle yourself, because the placement technique is quite simple.

How to properly give injections in the buttock?

choosing the right injection site

Before you begin intramuscular administration of the drug, you should carefully read the instructions for administration. The psychological factor is considered important: if you feel fear, apprehension, or feel very sorry for your “ward” (especially if we are talking about a child), then it is better to initially abandon the role of a home nurse and shift the procedure onto the shoulders of a professional.

If there is complete confidence in completing the task, then you should understand many of the nuances that help to correctly perform the medical procedure.

Preliminary preparation:

  1. Wipe the surface of the table with a clean napkin slightly moistened in boiled, cooled water;
  2. Place several small plates on the table, it is advisable to boil them in advance for about five minutes;
  3. We put a syringe on one plate (you can take it out of the package, but do not remove the needle from the cap), and on the second - several cotton balls (it is advisable to use sterile material);
  4. If the drug is in a bottle, then you need to take two syringes - for an explanation of this, read further in the “step-by-step instructions for taking the medicine”;
  5. Since the procedure involves blood, it is necessary to use medical gloves (which may not be sterile), especially if the injection is not given to a close relative or a stranger;
  6. The drug itself is ampoules with medicinal contents (oily or liquid consistency) or a bottle with a dry substance and a solution for injection;
  7. Ethyl alcohol 70% (if you have only 96% at home, then it must be diluted with water - add 2 tablespoons of boiled water per 100 ml); It is also possible to use another antiseptic purchased at a pharmacy.

It will be important to pay attention to the room in which the injection will be carried out. In our case, it is necessary to achieve maximum sterility and, if there are unsanitary conditions in the room, then a thorough cleaning should be carried out or the responsibility of carrying out medical manipulation should not be taken on at all.

Step by step instructions a set of medicine that helps to correctly give an intramuscular injection into the buttock:

  • wash your hands thoroughly; it is also recommended to additionally use an alcohol solution or liquid antiseptic for maximum cleansing;
  • we read carefully what is written on the ampoule or bottle of medicine, check the name, expiration date and dosage with the doctor’s certificate;
  • wipe the ampoule with a cotton ball soaked in alcohol, cut it with a knife placed in the box, carefully open it by placing the napkin on the glass surface;
  • if we are talking about a bottle, then its lid should be processed according to the same scheme, then open the central circle (open the solvent according to the previous scheme);
  • put a needle on the syringe and remove the cap;
  • lower the needle into the ampoule with the solution, pull the syringe plunger towards you;
  • if it is necessary to dissolve the dry substance, then you should first draw the solvent into the syringe and then release the contents into the bottle;
  • leave the needle in the bottle, shake thoroughly, put a spare (second) needle on the syringe and draw up the medicine.

Please note the table, which reveals some of the nuances and procedures for intramuscular injection.

Rule for performing an injection Brief Explanation
Place the patient on his stomach or side For maximum relaxation of the gluteal muscles (this is why it is not recommended for the patient to stand).
Palpate the area for injection In order to prevent contact with compacted areas, knots, and bumps.
Choosing an injection site Divide the buttock into four equal parts (you can draw a horizontal and vertical line with a cotton ball soaked in alcohol). The injection should be made in the upper square (approximately in its center), located closer to the thigh.
Treat the buttock area with alcohol or other antiseptic For the purpose of disinfecting the injection site.
Lift the syringe with the drug up with the needle, remove the cap, release the air Do not allow air to enter the bloodstream, as this may cause the development of an air embolism.
Techniques for facilitating needle insertion into a muscle For babies, squeeze the skin, and for adults, stretch it.
Insert the needle at an angle of 90 degrees To penetrate deep into the muscle.
The needle should be inserted 3/4 In rare cases, the needle may break and remain in the muscle. Thus, under force majeure circumstances, it can be pulled out by the tip.
The needle insertion should be sharp and clear. To achieve maximum painlessness.
Before administering the medicine, pull the plunger towards you. The appearance of blood means that a vessel has entered the vessel. It is recommended to slightly change the direction of the needle and perform this test again.
Squeezing the drug out of the syringe Press the piston with the thumb of your right hand. Hold the cannula with your left hand.
After drug administration Quickly remove the syringe and lightly massage the injection site with cotton wool moistened with alcohol.

Before administering the medicine, you should carefully read the instructions and suggested recommendations. For example, oil solutions should be heated in the hand, and some antibiotics tend to crystallize, so for successful manipulation you will need two needles.

Giving yourself an injection will not be difficult for those who have already injected another person at least once in their life. The preparation rules, the principles of drawing the drug into a syringe and introducing it into the muscle, described in the previous chapter, remain the same. However, there are certain nuances that should be taken into account:

  1. It is better to give yourself an injection in the buttock while standing, because to carry it out you need to use two hands. In the “lying down” position, it will be very difficult to insert the needle correctly and administer the medicine.
  2. It is recommended to do the procedure in front of a mirror in order to see exactly where the needle will be driven and whether it will be perpendicular to the surface of the skin.
  3. Turn around in front of the mirror towards the buttock where the injection is supposed to be given. The muscle should be thoroughly palpated for hardening and the surface of the skin should be examined for bruises (it is better not to insert a needle into them).
  4. The buttock where the injection will be given should be relaxed by slightly bending the leg. You need to put maximum emphasis on the second leg, that is, practically stand on it.
  5. At the end of the procedure, sharply pull out the syringe, take cotton wool with your other hand and pinch the injection site.

It is important to strictly adhere to antiseptic rules to prevent infection. The main difficulty faced by those who decide to inject themselves is a psychological barrier. When the needle has not yet entered the buttock, a barrier may arise in the head that prevents you from hurting yourself. To overcome yourself, you should relax as much as possible and breathe deeply. Remember that the treatment provided will help you recover as quickly as possible.

Possible unpleasant situations during an injection in the buttock area

When performing an injection into the gluteal muscle, certain things sometimes happen that are difficult to predict. Unpleasant situations can arise both for a self-taught nurse and for a real professional in injections. In the circumstances that arise, the main thing is not to get confused and act according to the situation.

During an injection in the butt, the following situations may arise:

1) The needle enters a compacted area. The medicine will not be squeezed out of the syringe, so the needle should be given a slightly different direction. As a last resort, pull it out of the muscle, change it and try again. Do not squeeze out the medicine by force, otherwise the syringe may jump out of the needle.

2) There is a small chance that the needle will hit a blood vessel, nerve, or bone. To prevent this, you should choose the right acute medical device. If the injection is made deep into the muscle, then adults and adolescents need to do it with a needle from a syringe with a capacity of five cubes, from 3-4 months to 10-12 years - with a needle from a syringe with a capacity of 2.5 cubes, for newborns - with a needle from an insulin syringe (they also get a reaction Mantoux).

3) Giving a child an injection is not an easy task for parents. Do not manipulate a sleeping baby under any circumstances! Try to talk to your child and explain why the injection is needed. If the baby still behaves aggressively and flatly refuses the procedure, then you need to call another adult to help hold the little patient.

Taking into account the recommendations, you can prevent the occurrence of unforeseen moments. If, after reading the material, fears and concerns arise, then it is better to abandon your idea and seek help from a professional nurse.

Complications after intramuscular injections

Often, if the injection rules are not followed, consequences arise that negatively affect the patient’s health. The most common complications are infiltrates, popularly referred to as “bumps”. They occur as a result of rapid administration of medication (the most provoking drugs are antibiotics and some vitamins).

One of the dangerous complications is paralysis of the sciatic nerve (if a needle gets into it). During the manipulation, the patient experiences acute pain, so if such a symptom occurs, it is necessary to urgently stop administering the medication.

It should also be taken into account that the patient may experience an allergic reaction, anaphylactic shock or Quincke's edema due to intolerance to a certain drug. If there is redness of the face, neck, as well as swelling, rash and suffocation, you should urgently call an ambulance.

If you take into account all the rules of asepsis and antisepsis, as well as correctly perform the injection technique, then the manipulation will seem like a simple and easily performed procedure even at home. If you are far from medicine, this does not mean at all that you do not have the right to give your relative an injection, thereby helping him recover.



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