How to Do an Intramuscular Injection: Step by Step

Administering an intramuscular injection (IM injection) is a common medical procedure. It is used to deliver medication deep into the muscles for faster absorption. If you’re a Filipino caregiver, nurse, or healthcare student, you must learn how to carry out an intramuscular injection. Understanding the step-by-step process is essential. This skill is vital in home care and community health settings across the Philippines.

This guide will teach you the proper IM injection technique. It will also cover common injection sites. Additionally, it includes safety precautions to guarantee both patient comfort and effective medication delivery.

🩺 What Is an Intramuscular Injection?

An intramuscular injection delivers medication directly into a muscle layer. This allows for quicker absorption into the bloodstream compared to subcutaneous or oral routes. It’s often used for vaccines, antibiotics, vitamin injections, and pain relievers.

Common IM injection sites include:

• Deltoid muscle (upper arm) – used for small volumes like vaccines.
• Vastus lateralis (thigh) – often for infants or self-injection.
• Ventrogluteal (hip area) – preferred for adults due to safety and minimal nerve risk.
• Dorsogluteal (buttocks) – used less often due to sciatic nerve proximity.

🧴 Materials You’ll Need

Before giving an intramuscular injection, prepare:

• Sterile syringe and needle (usually 22–25 gauge, 1–1.5 inches)
• The prescribed medication
• Alcohol swabs or antiseptic wipes
• Cotton balls or gauze
• Disposable gloves
• Sharps container for needle disposal

Make sure you work on a clean, well-lit surface to maintain aseptic technique.

💉 Step-by-Step Guide to Giving an IM Injection

Step 1: Wash Your Hands and Wear Gloves

Start by washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Put on disposable gloves for hygiene.

Step 2: Prepare the Medication

• Check the medication label and the expiry date.
• Draw the prescribed dose using a sterile syringe.
• Remove air bubbles by gently tapping the syringe. Push the plunger slightly until a small droplet appears at the tip.

Step 3: Identify the Injection Site

Select the appropriate muscle based on the patient’s age, size, and medication volume.

• For adults: Deltoid or ventrogluteal.
• For infants: Vastus lateralis.

Clean the area with an alcohol swab using circular motions, starting from the center outward. Let it dry completely.

Step 4: Insert the Needle

• Hold the syringe like a dart at a 90-degree angle to the skin.
• Quickly insert the needle into the muscle in one smooth motion.
  This minimizes discomfort and ensures the needle reaches the muscle layer.

Step 5: Inject the Medication

Pull back the plunger slightly to check for blood return. Aspiration is optional for certain vaccines. It is still done in some settings.

• If there’s no blood, slowly inject the medication.
• Withdraw the needle at the same angle and apply gentle pressure with a cotton ball or gauze.

Step 6: Dispose Safely

Immediately place the used needle and syringe into a sharps container.
Never reuse needles or dispose of them in regular trash bins.

⚠️ Safety Tips and Precautions

• Always confirm the five rights: right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, and right time.
• Avoid injecting into areas with bruises, scars, or infection.
• If the patient experiences severe pain, numbness, or swelling, seek medical attention immediately.

For professional injection training, check resources from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

✅ Final Thoughts

Learning how to do an intramuscular injection step by step is important to ensure medication safety and patient comfort. Are you caring for a loved one at home? You must master this skill with proper guidance. If you are pursuing a career in healthcare, this mastery is essential.

If you’re in the Philippines and need professional guidance, medical education, or home health services, contact Helal Medical today. Our staff will help you.