How to Give an Intramuscular (IM) Injection

An intramuscular injection is a way to administer medication deep into the muscles, in order for the
body to absorb medicine quickly. Chances are you’ve received quite a few of these at the doctor’s
office so it’s nice to know the process of an IM injection. And you never know when you’ll have to
help someone in need! Follow these steps for a safe intramuscular injection.

Supplies Preparation
1. Wash your hands
Use soap and warm water and thoroughly scrub for a minimum of 20 seconds.
2. Gather your supplies
- Needle and syringe
- Medication to be administered
It is important to be aware of the amount of medication you need to administer at
this step to be prepared for further steps.
- Alcohol pads
- Sharps container (to dispose needle after use)
- Bandaid

Preparing the Injection Site

1. Locate the Deltoid Muscle
The deltoid muscle is the most commonly used site for
vaccine administration.
To locate this site, feel for the bone (acromion process)
that’s located at the top of the upper arm.
2. Locate the Injection Site
The correct area to give the injection is two finger widths
below the acromion process. At the bottom of the two
fingers, will be an upside-down triangle. The injection will
be given the injection in the center of the triangle.
3. Clean the injection site
Use an alcohol pad to scrub the site vigorously for 10-15
seconds and allow the area to dry completely.

Pulling up the Medication

1. Remove the cap of the vial.
2. Scrub the top of the vial for 10-15 seconds with an alcohol pad and let
dry.
3. Turn the vial and syringe upside down so the needle points upward.
 4. Withdrawal the correct dosage of medication
5. Pull back on the plunger slowly to withdraw the correct amount of
medication.

6. Remove air bubbles.

Air bubbles may accumulate in the syringe.
Tap on the sides of the syringe to loosen the air bubbles to the top and gently push the air
bubbles out.

7. Remove the needle from the vial carefully

Administering the Intramuscular Injection

Once the injection site has been located, the skin is cleaned, and the medication has been drawn up
into the syringe, you’re ready to administer the injection.
1. Have the person relax their arm as much as possible
2. Inject the medication at a 90o angle
Hold the syringe like a dart and insert the needle into the skin with a
quick and controlled manner.
3. Remove the needle
Withdraw the needle quickly
4. Discard the needle into a sharps container quickly.
Never recap a needle.
5. Apply band-aid to the injection site
Apply light pressure if needed.