Where is the vastus lateralis site for im injection?

The vastus lateralis site is in the lateral middle third of the thigh between the greater trochanter and the knee. When injecting, lift the vastus lateralis muscle away from the bone. The dorsogluteal site is above an imaginary line between the greater trochanter and the posterior superior iliac crest.

Correspondingly, how do you give an IM injection vastus lateralis?

Giving an IM injection into the Vastus lateralis site

To find the thigh injection site, make an imaginary box on the upper leg. Find the groin.
Find the top of knee.
Stretch the skin to make it tight.
Insert the needle at a right angle to the skin (90°) straight in.
Up to 2ml of fluid may be given into this site.

Additionally, which is the most dangerous site for intramuscular injection? For many years the dorsogluteal site has been the beloved intramuscular injection site of many nurses, but is it the safest site to use? Research suggests that even though the dorsogluteal site is used more frequently than the ventrogluteal site, it can be the most dangerous to use (Floyd, Meyer 2007).

Just so, what are the sites for IM injection?

Intramuscular injection sites

Deltoid muscle of the arm. The deltoid muscle is the site most typically used for vaccines.
Vastus lateralis muscle of the thigh.
Ventrogluteal muscle of the hip.
Dorsogluteal muscles of the buttocks.

How far do you insert needle for intramuscular injection?

Needle insertion Insert needle at an 45o angle to the skin. Pinch up on SQ tissue to prevent injecting into muscle. Aspiration before injection is not required. Multiple injections given in the same extremity should be separated as far as possible (preferably at least 1” apart).

28 Related Question Answers Found

What happens if im injection hit blood vessel?

A broken blood vessel causes internal bleeding within the muscle. When a blood vessel breaks, scar tissue or blood clots can form and if a blood clot starts to wander and reaches the heart or lungs, the consequences can be life-threatening. Injections that hit an artery can be particularly dangerous.

Do you massage after intramuscular injection?

Doing a massage of the site after an injection can cause the drug to back up through the subcutaneous tissue, so any type of massage is to be avoided with intramuscular injections.

Do I need to aspirate for an IM injection?

The CDC recommends against aspirating during IM injection of vaccines (2017). Recommended sites for intramuscular injection generally do not include blood vessels, which should eliminate the need for aspiration.

Can you hit bone when giving an IM injection?

A needle that is too long can penetrate the deltoid muscle, hitting the bone. Although patients will not feel their bones being hit, the vaccine might not fully absorb into the muscle, leading to a reduced immune response.

What needle do you use for an IM injection?

Intramuscular shots are given at 90 degree angle. Needle for IM injections can be 22-23 Gauge, 1-1.5 inches in length, adjusted for thickness of site.

What happens when you hit a nerve when giving an injection?

When a nerve injury is caused by a needle, most patients report immediate pain at the time of injection,¹¹ as our patient did. Neurological sequelae can range from minor transient sensory disturbances to severe sensory disturbances and paralysis.

What are the four IM injection sites?

Where should an intramuscular (IM) injection be given? Nurses learn there are four possible sites: the arm (deltoid); thigh (vastus lateralis); upper outer posterior buttock (gluteus maximus), also referred to as the dorsogluteal site; and the lateral hip (gluteus medius), also called the ventrogluteal site.

What happens if you accidentally inject air into muscle?

Injecting a small air bubble into the skin or a muscle is usually harmless. But it might mean you aren't getting the full dose of medicine, because the air takes up space in the syringe.

Why is the Dorsogluteal site not recommended?

Craven and Hirnle (2009) in their study, they stated that this site should not be used for the purpose of intramuscular injection because of the dorsogluteal site is close to sciatic nerve and superior gluteal artery, injection could be accidentally implemented to subcutaneous tissue.

What is the Z track method?

The Z-track method is a type of IM injection technique used to prevent tracking (leakage) of the medication into the subcutaneous tissue (underneath the skin). During the procedure, skin and tissue are pulled and held firmly while a long needle is inserted into the muscle.

Where do you give an intramuscular injection in the buttocks?

The correct area to give an injection is in the center of the triangle, 1 to 2 inches below the acromion process. This site should not be used if the person is very thin or the muscle is very small. Buttocks: Expose one side of the buttocks.

What is the maximum volume for intramuscular injection?

5 mL

Where is the deltoid injection site?

The injection site is in the middle of the deltoid muscle, about 2.5 to 5 cm (1 to 2 inches) below the acromion process. To locate this area, lay three fingers across the deltoid muscle and below the acromion process. The injection site is generally three finger widths below, in the middle of the muscle.

Can IM injections cause nerve damage?

Intramuscular injections are a frequently performed and often overlooked cause of iatrogenic nerve injury. Complications can often be obviated by understanding the anatomy underlying the injection site and knowing the proper technique for injection administration.

What are the advantages of intramuscular injection?

Intramuscular injections have other advantages too. The muscles have a plentiful supply of blood, which helps ensure that the body absorbs the medication quickly. The tissue in the muscles can also hold more medication than fatty tissue. Doctors administer most injectable vaccines into the muscles.

Which gauge needle is appropriate for intramuscular injection in most adults?

Intramuscular injections

The deltoid muscle is most often used as the site for IM injections in adults: Needle length is usually 1–1½", 22–25 gauge, but a longer or shorter needle may be needed depending on the patient's weight.

How do you give vastus lateralis IM injection?

Giving an IM injection into the Vastus lateralis site

To find the thigh injection site, make an imaginary box on the upper leg. Find the groin.
Find the top of knee.
Stretch the skin to make it tight.
Insert the needle at a right angle to the skin (90°) straight in.
Up to 2ml of fluid may be given into this site.