The Intramuscular Injection Trivia Quiz

1. At what angle should an intramuscular (IM) injection be administered?

30 degrees

45 degrees

60 degrees

90 degrees

An intramuscular (IM) injection should be administered at a 90-degree angle. This is because injecting at a perpendicular angle allows the medication to reach the deep muscle tissue, ensuring proper absorption and effectiveness. Injecting at a different angle may result in the medication being deposited in the subcutaneous tissue or causing unnecessary pain or discomfort to the patient. Therefore, a 90-degree angle is the correct angle for administering an IM injection.

Explanation

An intramuscular (IM) injection should be administered at a 90-degree angle. This is because injecting at a perpendicular angle allows the medication to reach the deep muscle tissue, ensuring proper absorption and effectiveness. Injecting at a different angle may result in the medication being deposited in the subcutaneous tissue or causing unnecessary pain or discomfort to the patient. Therefore, a 90-degree angle is the correct angle for administering an IM injection.

2. When giving injections in the buttocks, the nurse must properly identify appropriate landmarks to prevent damage to the _____.

Sciatic nerve

Spinal cord

Coccyx

Saphenous nerve

When giving injections in the buttocks, it is crucial for the nurse to properly identify appropriate landmarks to prevent damage to the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the longest and thickest nerve in the body, running from the lower back down to the feet. It provides motor and sensory functions to the lower body. Injecting medication into the sciatic nerve can cause severe pain, numbness, and even paralysis in the affected leg. Therefore, it is essential for the nurse to be aware of the location of the sciatic nerve and avoid injecting medication directly into it.

Explanation

When giving injections in the buttocks, it is crucial for the nurse to properly identify appropriate landmarks to prevent damage to the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the longest and thickest nerve in the body, running from the lower back down to the feet. It provides motor and sensory functions to the lower body. Injecting medication into the sciatic nerve can cause severe pain, numbness, and even paralysis in the affected leg. Therefore, it is essential for the nurse to be aware of the location of the sciatic nerve and avoid injecting medication directly into it.

3. Intramuscular (IM) injections are less painful for a patient than any other types of injections because:

Muscle tissue has few sensory nerves.

Dermis has few sensory nerves.

Fascia has few sensory nerves.

Subcutaneous layer has few sensory nerves.

Muscle tissue has few sensory nerves, which means that there are fewer pain receptors in this type of tissue compared to other types of tissue like the dermis, fascia, and subcutaneous layer. This is why intramuscular injections are generally less painful for patients.

Explanation

Muscle tissue has few sensory nerves, which means that there are fewer pain receptors in this type of tissue compared to other types of tissue like the dermis, fascia, and subcutaneous layer. This is why intramuscular injections are generally less painful for patients.

4. What should be done for a patient who requires repeated injections?

Tap the injection site.

Rotate injection sites.

Apply heat to the injection site before injection.

Massage the injection site.

Option 5

For a patient who requires repeated injections, rotating injection sites is recommended. This helps to prevent tissue damage and irritation at a single injection site. By rotating the sites, different areas of the body are used for injections, allowing each site to have time to heal and recover between injections. This practice also reduces the risk of developing lumps or abscesses at the injection site and ensures that the medication is absorbed properly.

Explanation

For a patient who requires repeated injections, rotating injection sites is recommended. This helps to prevent tissue damage and irritation at a single injection site. By rotating the sites, different areas of the body are used for injections, allowing each site to have time to heal and recover between injections. This practice also reduces the risk of developing lumps or abscesses at the injection site and ensures that the medication is absorbed properly.

5. Mr. Smith came into the clinic to receive his annual flu shot. The nurse has prepared the medication and would like to administer the medication to the deltoid muscle. Which anatomical landmark will the nurse identify to administer the injection safely?

Greater trochanter

Knee cap

Acromial process

Iliac crest

The nurse will identify the acromial process to administer the injection safely. The acromial process is a bony prominence on the shoulder, specifically on the lateral end of the scapula. Administering the injection in this area ensures that the medication is delivered to the deltoid muscle, which is located in the upper arm. This is a common site for administering intramuscular injections such as flu shots. The other anatomical landmarks mentioned (greater trochanter, knee cap, and iliac crest) are not relevant to administering a flu shot in the deltoid muscle.

Explanation

The nurse will identify the acromial process to administer the injection safely. The acromial process is a bony prominence on the shoulder, specifically on the lateral end of the scapula. Administering the injection in this area ensures that the medication is delivered to the deltoid muscle, which is located in the upper arm. This is a common site for administering intramuscular injections such as flu shots. The other anatomical landmarks mentioned (greater trochanter, knee cap, and iliac crest) are not relevant to administering a flu shot in the deltoid muscle.

6. Nurse Betty has completed giving Ms. Smith her injection. Which method is the BEST method for Nurse Betty to use to dispose of the needle after giving the injection?

Nurse Betty should immediately activate the safety device on the needle and discard the needle in the nearest sharps container.

Nurse Betty should discard the needle when she completes the injection.

Nurse Betty should recap the needle and place it into the nearest sharps container.

The best method for Nurse Betty to dispose of the needle after giving the injection is to immediately activate the safety device on the needle and discard it in the nearest sharps container. This ensures the safe disposal of the needle, minimizing the risk of accidental needlestick injuries and preventing the spread of infections or diseases. Sitting the needle on the bedside table or recapping the needle are not recommended as they pose a potential hazard. Discarding the needle when she completes the injection may also increase the risk of accidental injuries if not properly disposed of immediately.

Explanation

The best method for Nurse Betty to dispose of the needle after giving the injection is to immediately activate the safety device on the needle and discard it in the nearest sharps container. This ensures the safe disposal of the needle, minimizing the risk of accidental needlestick injuries and preventing the spread of infections or diseases. Sitting the needle on the bedside table or recapping the needle are not recommended as they pose a potential hazard. Discarding the needle when she completes the injection may also increase the risk of accidental injuries if not properly disposed of immediately.

7. How much medication can the nurse safely administer to the deltoid muscle?

5 ml

1-2 mL

10 ml

2-3 mL

The nurse can safely administer 1-2 mL of medication to the deltoid muscle. This is because the deltoid muscle has a smaller capacity compared to other muscles, such as the gluteus maximus or quadriceps. Injecting a larger volume of medication may cause discomfort, pain, or potential damage to the muscle. Therefore, it is recommended to administer a smaller volume, such as 1-2 mL, to ensure safe and effective delivery of the medication.

Explanation

The nurse can safely administer 1-2 mL of medication to the deltoid muscle. This is because the deltoid muscle has a smaller capacity compared to other muscles, such as the gluteus maximus or quadriceps. Injecting a larger volume of medication may cause discomfort, pain, or potential damage to the muscle. Therefore, it is recommended to administer a smaller volume, such as 1-2 mL, to ensure safe and effective delivery of the medication.

8. The Z-track injection technique is preferred for intramuscular injections because

It creates a tunnel for drug absorption.

It prevents drug leakage into subcutaneous tissue.

It permits repeated injections at the same site.

It helps seal the drug into the dermis.

The Z-track injection technique is preferred for intramuscular injections because it prevents drug leakage into subcutaneous tissue. This technique involves pulling the skin and underlying tissue to one side before injecting the medication, and then releasing it after the injection. This creates a zigzag or "Z" shaped path for the needle, which helps to seal the medication in the muscle and prevents it from leaking into the subcutaneous tissue. By doing so, the Z-track technique reduces the risk of irritation, discomfort, and potential damage to the surrounding tissue.

Explanation

The Z-track injection technique is preferred for intramuscular injections because it prevents drug leakage into subcutaneous tissue. This technique involves pulling the skin and underlying tissue to one side before injecting the medication, and then releasing it after the injection. This creates a zigzag or "Z" shaped path for the needle, which helps to seal the medication in the muscle and prevents it from leaking into the subcutaneous tissue. By doing so, the Z-track technique reduces the risk of irritation, discomfort, and potential damage to the surrounding tissue.

9. Ms. Smith is a 25-year-old female. Her height is 5' 3," and her weight is 140lbs. She has come into the clinic and will need an IM injection. What size needle should the nurse use to administer the injection?

25-30 gauge

16-18 gauge

14 gauge

20-22 gauge

The nurse should use a 20-22 gauge needle to administer the IM injection to Ms. Smith. The size of the needle is determined based on the patient's age, gender, and body size. Ms. Smith is a 25-year-old female with a height of 5' 3" and a weight of 140lbs, which falls within the average range for an adult female. A 20-22 gauge needle is appropriate for IM injections in adults, as it is large enough to allow for the medication to be delivered effectively, but not too large to cause unnecessary pain or discomfort to the patient.

Explanation

The nurse should use a 20-22 gauge needle to administer the IM injection to Ms. Smith. The size of the needle is determined based on the patient's age, gender, and body size. Ms. Smith is a 25-year-old female with a height of 5' 3" and a weight of 140lbs, which falls within the average range for an adult female. A 20-22 gauge needle is appropriate for IM injections in adults, as it is large enough to allow for the medication to be delivered effectively, but not too large to cause unnecessary pain or discomfort to the patient.

10. Which site is commonly used while giving an intramuscular (IM) injection to a healthy adult?

Vastus lateralis

Gluteus maximus

Deltoid

Ventrogluteal

The ventrogluteal site is commonly used while giving an intramuscular (IM) injection to a healthy adult. This site is located on the hip and is considered safe and reliable for IM injections. It has a thick muscle mass and is located away from major nerves and blood vessels, reducing the risk of injury. Additionally, the ventrogluteal site allows for deep penetration of the needle, ensuring proper medication absorption and minimizing discomfort for the patient.

Explanation

The ventrogluteal site is commonly used while giving an intramuscular (IM) injection to a healthy adult. This site is located on the hip and is considered safe and reliable for IM injections. It has a thick muscle mass and is located away from major nerves and blood vessels, reducing the risk of injury. Additionally, the ventrogluteal site allows for deep penetration of the needle, ensuring proper medication absorption and minimizing discomfort for the patient.