How to administer intramuscular injections
Intended for healthcare professionals
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How to administer intramuscular injections

Angelina Chadwick Lecturer in mental health nursing, School of Nursing, Midwifery, Social Work and Social Sciences, The University of Salford, Greater Manchester, England
Neil Withnell Associate head, academic enhancement, School of Nursing, Midwifery, Social Work and Social Sciences, The University of Salford, Greater Manchester, England

Rationale and key points

This article aims to help nurses to administer intramuscular injections in a safe, effective and patient-centred manner. Following administration of an intramuscular injection, the patient should be observed for a period of time to reduce any risk of harm.

Nurses should possess the knowledge, skill, professional judgement and accountability to administer intramuscular injections safely.

Nurses should ensure the correct drug is prepared using the correct method at the correct dose for administration to the correct patient.

Local and national protocols should be adhered to.

Reflective activity

Clinical skills articles can help update your practice and ensure it remains evidence based. Apply this article to your practice. Reflect on and write a short account of:

Your most recent experience in injection administration.

How reading this article will change your practice.

Subscribers can upload their reflective accounts at: rcni.com/portfolio.

Nursing Standard. 30, 8, 36-39. doi: 10.7748/ns.30.8.36.s45

Correspondence

A.L.Chadwick@salford.ac.uk

Peer review

All articles are subject to external double-blind peer review and checked for plagiarism using automated software.

Received: 19 February 2015

Accepted: 22 June 2015

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