Intradermal, Subcutaneous, and Intramuscular Injections

Parenteral routes include ID, between the layers of the skin; subcut, beneath the skin but above the muscle; and IM, in muscle tissue.

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Syringes are available in numerous sizes, typically ranging from 0.5 to 100 mL.

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The viscosity of the medication, the route of injection, and the size of the patient help to determine the choice of needle gauge and length.

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The maximum volume that can be injected in the ventrogluteal site is 3 to 5 mL in infants and children, the elderly, and average-size adults.

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Sterile needles should only be recapped using the one-handed method or a commercial recapping device.

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A parenteral route of medication administration is one that bypasses which of the following?

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• Stomach

• Kidneys

• Skin

• Heart

• Liver

Injection of a drug into the upper layers of the skin is known as which route of medication administration?

• Intra-articular

• Intradermal

• Subcutaneous

• Intramuscular

Which site of subcutaneous administration has the most rapid absorption of insulin?

• Vastus lateralis

• Dorsogluteal site

• Back of upper arm

• Abdomen

• Deltoid

Which of the following steps should the nurse perform when combining two types of insulin and administering them?

• Always withdraw intermediate-acting insulin first

• When mixing insulins, remember “clear before cloudy”

• Inject with 20-G, 1-inch needle

• Insert needle at a 45- or 90-degree angle

• Mix Lantus with regular insulin

A nurse needs to administer medication from an ampule. What of the following steps should the nurse take when drawing up this medication?

• Snap off the ampule neck using a sterile gauze pad

• Hold the ampule away from the body when breaking

• Tilt the ampule and place the injection needle into the liquid

• Avoid tapping the top of the bottle

• Use a filter needle to draw up medication