This document describes different methods of administering medications through injection, including intradermally, subcutaneously, and intramuscularly. Intradermal injection involves injecting a drug into the dermal layer of the skin. Subcutaneous injection deposits a drug beneath the skin, and common sites include the upper arm, thigh, and back. Intramuscular injection absorbs drugs more quickly than subcutaneous, with common sites being the deltoid, gluteal muscles, and thigh. All three methods require cleaning the injection site, preparing the syringe, carefully inserting and withdrawing the needle, and disposing of supplies properly.

2. Medications that are absorbed
more quickly than oral
medications
Irretrievable once injected
It can be administered:
Intradermally
Subcutaneously
Intramuscularly
Intravenously

7. Administration of a drug into
the dermal layer of the skin
(beneath epidermis)

8. Frequently used for allergy
testing and tuberculosis
screening
Common sites:
Inner lower arm
Upper chest
Back beneath the scapulae

9. 1. Perform hand hygiene &
observe appropriate infection
control procedures
2. Prepare the medication from
the vial or ampule
3. Prepare the client

10. 4. Explain to the client that the
medication will produce a
small wheal or bleb
5. Clean the site (circular
motion starting from the
center & move outward up to 2
inches)
Prepared by: Arrian Dabu, RN

11. 6. Expel any air bubbles from
the syringe
7. Grasp the syringe in your
dominant hand
8. Hold the needle almost
parallel to the skin surface,
with the bevel of the needle up

12. 9. With the nondominant
hand, pull the skin at the site
until it is taut
10. Insert the tip of the needle
far enough to place the bevel
through the epidermis into the
dermis

13. 11. Stabilize the syringe & needle
then inject the medication
12. Withdraw the needle quickly
at the same angle at which it was
inserted
13. Cover the needle “scooping
method”

14. 14. Do not massage the area
15. Mark the injection site
16. Dispose the needle and
syringe
17. Perform hand hygiene

16. Administration of drug
beneath the skin

17. Subcutaneous injection sites
need to be rotated
Common sites:
Outer aspect of the upper
arm
Anterior aspect of the
thigh
Abdomen
Scapular areas of the
upper back
Upper ventrogluteal &
dorsogluteal

18. 1. Perform hand hygiene &
observe appropriate infection
control procedures
2. Prepare the medication from
the vial or ampule
3. Prepare the client

19. 4. Select a site that has not
been used frequently
5. Clean the site (circular
motion starting from the
center & move outward up to 2
inches)

20. 6. Grasp the syringe in your
dominant hand then using the
nondominant hand, pinch the
skin at the site
7. Insert the needle in a 45-
degree angle

21. 8. When the needle is inserted,
move your nondominant hand
to the end of the plunger then
push slowly and evenly

22. 9. Needle should be imbedded
within the skin for 5-10 secs
after complete depression to
ensure complete delivery

23. 10. Withdraw the needle
carefully then cover it using the
scooping method
11. If bleeding occurs, apply
pressure to the site with dry,
sterile gauze until it stops

24. 12. Dispose the needle and
syringe
13. Perform hand hygiene

26. Injection into muscle tissue
Absorbed more quickly than
subcutaneous injection
Common sites:
Deltoid
Ventrogluteal
Vastus Lateralis
Dorsogluteal

27. 1. Perform hand hygiene &
observe appropriate infection
control procedures
2. Prepare the medication from
the vial or ampule
3. Prepare the client

28. 4. Select a site that has not
been used frequently
5. Clean the site (circular
motion starting from the
center & move outward up to 2
inches)

29. 6. Pierce the skin quickly &
smoothly at a 90-degree angle
7. Hold the barrel of the
syringe steady with your
nondominant hand then
aspirate the plunger (if blood
appears, discard the syringe &
prepare new injection)

30. 8. Inject the medication
9. Needle should be imbedded
within the skin for 5-10 secs
after complete depression to
ensure complete delivery

31. 10. Withdraw the needle
carefully then cover it using the
scooping method
11. If bleeding occurs, apply
pressure to the site with dry,
sterile gauze until it stops

32. 12. Dispose the needle and
syringe
13. Perform hand hygiene