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Intramuscular injections: Injecting at homeIIntramuscular injections: Injecting at homeIntramuscular injections: Injecting at homeEnglishPharmacyChild (0-12 years);Teen (13-18 years)NANADrug treatmentCaregivers Adult (19+)NA2019-10-04T04:00:00Z6.4000000000000072.00000000000001946.00000000000Health (A-Z) - ProcedureHealth A-Z<p>A guide on giving your child injections into the muscle (intramuscular) at home.</p><figure> <img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/Injection_intramuscular_BDsyringe_layers_EQUIP_ILL_EN.jpg" alt="Cross-section of skin, subcutaneous tissue and muscle with needle injected at a ninety-degree angle" /> </figure> <h2>What are intramuscular injections?</h2><p> An intramuscular (IM) injection is a medicine that is injected into the muscle. Medicines can also be given into the skin (intradermal), just below the skin (subcutaneous) or into a vein (intravenous).</p><h2>Key points</h2> <ul> <li>An intramuscular (IM) injection is giving medicine with a needle into the muscle.</li> <li>The injection site varies with the age of your child.</li> <li>The size of the needle depends on the weight of your child and the type of drug they are taking.</li> <li>When injecting, hold the shaft of the syringe in dart fashion. Insert needle directly through the skin at a right angle (90° angle) into the muscle.</li> <li>Give the injection quickly, and do not pull back on the plunger before injecting as this causes more pain.</li> <li>Discard the needle and syringe in a thick, plastic bottle or sharps container with a lid. Bring it to your local pharmacy for disposal.</li> <li>Do not discard the needle in your regular garbage.</li> </ul><h2>What does it mean if there is bruising at the injection site?</h2> <p>This can happen from time to time. It is not harmful. It usually means the needle has nicked a tiny blood vessel. To reduce the chance of bruising, apply gentle pressure to the site with a dry piece of cotton or a clean finger after injecting. Also, remember not to insert the needle too slowly. If you have too much bruising, consult your health-care team. </p> <h2>What would happen if an air bubble was accidentally injected into your child?</h2> <p>It is not harmful to inject an air bubble under the skin. However, if you are injecting air rather than medicine, your child may not be getting the full dose of medicine.</p><h2>When to call the doctor</h2> <p>Call the doctor if your child experiences:</p> <ul> <li><a href="/Article?contentid=30&language=English">fever</a> or chills</li> <li>swelling or redness at the injection site that does not go away</li> </ul><h2>Premature infants</h2><p>For newborns, the IM injection site is the front outer side of the thigh. To inject into the thigh, the needle length must be 16 mm. Use a 23- to 25-gauge needle. </p> <figure> <span class="asset-image-title">Thigh injection site</span> <img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/Injection_site_baby_thigh_EQUIP_ILL_EN.jpg" alt="Lower body of baby with marking on thigh" /> </figure> <h2>Infants (up to 2 years of age)</h2><p>For infants, the IM injection site is the front outer side of the thigh. Do not use the inner thigh or back of the thigh. Divide the thigh into thirds; the injection site is in the middle third section. </p><p>To inject into the site, the needles must be 16mm to 22 mm long. Use a 22- to 25-gauge needle. Your baby's doctor may give you a longer needle depending on the size of your child. The needle must be long enough so that it will reach deep into the muscle. It should reach past the tissue just above the muscle, which is the subcutaneous (SC) tissue. This helps to reduce irritation to the subcutaneous tissue which can cause pain associated with IM injections. </p><h2>Toddler (1 to 3 years of age)</h2><p>For toddlers, use 22- to 25-gauge needles. There are two possible injection sites:</p><ul><li>Deltoid muscle: This is the top, upper part of the arm. Only inject in this site if your health-care provider tells you that this is an appropriate injection site for your child. To inject into the deltoid, the needle size must be 16 mm. However, needle sizes from 22 mm to 25 mm can be used for older children: The nurse or doctor will advise which needle size is appropriate for your child. Only give injections that are less than 0.5 mL into the deltoid.</li><li>Front, outer side of the thigh. Do not use the inner thigh or back of the thigh. Divide the thigh into thirds; the injection site is in the middle third section.</li></ul><p>You may be given a longer needle depending on the size of your child. The needle must be long enough so that it will reach deep into the muscle. It should reach past the tissue just above the muscle, which is the subcutaneous (SC) tissue. This helps to reduce irritation to the SC tissue which can cause pain associated with IM injections.</p> <figure> <span class="asset-image-title">Deltoid injection site</span> <img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/Injection_intramuscular_deltoid_older_child_EQUIP_ILL_EN.jpg" alt="Upper body of child with marking on upper arm near the shoulder" /> </figure> <h2>Children (3 to 18 years)</h2><p>For all children, use 22- to 25-gauge needles. There are two possible injection sites:</p><ul><li>Deltoid muscle: This is the top, upper part of the arm. The nurse or doctor will advise which needle size is appropriate for your child. To inject into the deltoid, the needle size must be 16 mm. However, needle sizes from 22 mm to 25 mm can be used for older children. Only give injections that are less than 0.5 mL into the deltoid. </li><li>Thigh: The middle of the front outer side of the thigh. Do not use the inner thigh or back of the thigh. Divide the thigh into thirds; the injection site is in the middle third section. To inject into the thigh, the needle size must be at least 16 mm long but may need to be longer depending on your child's size. </li></ul><p>For older children, the size of the needle depends on the sex and weight of your child. Generally, a needle that is 25 mm to 38 mm long can be used for adolescents.</p><ul><li>Use 25 mm needles for females who weigh over 60 kg and males up to 118 kg. </li><li>Use 38 mm needles for females who weigh over 90 kg and males over 118 kg.</li></ul><h2>Injection sites and needle sizes </h2> <p>The injection site depends on your child's age. The size of the needle also influences the location of the injection site. The size of the needle depends on the weight of your child and the type of drug they are taking. </p> <p>The diameter of the needles also varies depending on your child's age. This size is described in units called "gauge numbers". Needles with larger diameters have smaller gauge numbers. </p> <p>The length of the needle is ________.</p> <p>You child's injection site is ________.</p> <p>The needle gauge number is ________.</p> <p>If the injection you are giving is more than 1 mL in volume, check with your health-care provider about which location is appropriate for your child.</p>
Injections intramusculaires: injections à domicileIInjections intramusculaires: injections à domicileIntramuscular injections: Injecting at homeFrenchPharmacyChild (0-12 years);Teen (13-18 years)NANADrug treatmentCaregivers Adult (19+)NA2019-10-04T04:00:00Z2175.00000000000Health (A-Z) - ProcedureHealth A-Z<p>Un guide étape par étape et illustré sur l’administration des injections dans le muscle (intramusculaires) à votre enfant à domicile.</p><figure><img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/Injection_intramuscular_BDsyringe_layers_EQUIP_ILL_FR.jpg" alt="Le peau, le tissu sous-cutané et le muscle avec une aiguille insérée à un angle de quatre-vingt-dix degrés" /> </figure> <h2>Qu’est-ce qu’une injection intramusculaire? </h2><p>Une injection intramusculaire, c’est un médicament qui est injecté dans le muscle. Des médicaments peuvent aussi être administrés dans la peau (intradermique), juste au-dessous de la peau (sous-cutanée) ou dans la veine (intraveineuse). </p><h2>À retenir</h2> <ul><li>Une injection intramusculaire s’agit d’un médicament qui est injecté dans le muscle.</li> <li>Le point d’injection dépend de l’âge de votre enfant.</li> <li>La taille de l’aiguille dépend du poids de votre enfant et le genre de médicament en question.</li> <li>Au moment de l’injection, tenez la tige de la seringue comme on le fait une fléchette. Insérez l’aiguille directement à travers la peau à l’angle droit (angle de 90°) dans le muscle.</li> <li>Administrez l’injection rapidement, et ne pas retirer le piston avant d’injecter, car cela provoque davantage de douleur.</li> <li>Mettez l’aiguille et la seringue dans une bouteille en plastique ou un contenant pour les objets pointus ou tranchants à paroi épaisse et dotée d’un couvercle. Apportez-le à votre pharmacie locale pour l'élimination.</li> <li>Ne vous débarrassez pas de ces articles dans des déchets réguliers.</li></ul><h2>Que signifient-elles des ecchymoses au site de l’injection? </h2> <p>Des ecchymoses pourraient se produire de temps en temps. Elles ne sont pas nuisibles. Normalement, elles signifient que l’aiguille a entaillé un petit vaisseau sanguin. Pour réduire la possibilité d’ecchymoses, appliquez une légère pression sur le site avec un morceau de coton humide ou un doigt propre après l’injection. De plus, n’insérez pas l’aiguille trop lentement. S’il y a trop d’ecchymoses, consultez votre équipe soignante. </p> <h2>Que se passerait-il si une bulle d’air était injectée accidentellement? </h2> <p>Les bulles d’air sous la peau ne sont pas nocives. Cela dit, si vous injectez de l’air plutôt que du médicament, il se peut que votre enfant n’obtienne pas la dose complète du médicament.<br></p><h2>À quel moment appeler le médecin</h2> <p>Appelez votre médecin si votre enfant éprouve le suivant :</p> <ul> <li>de la <a href="/Article?contentid=30&language=French">fièvre</a> ou des frissons;</li> <li>de l’enflure ou de la rougeur au niveau du site de l’injection qui ne part pas.<br></li> </ul><h2>Enfants prématurés </h2><p>Dans le cas des nouveau-nés, le site de l’injection intramusculaire est le côté avant extérieur de la cuisse. L’injection dans la cuisse exige une longueur d’aiguille de 16 mm. Utilisez une aiguille d’un numéro de jauge de 23 à 25. </p> <figure><span class="asset-image-title">Thigh injection site</span><img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/Injection_site_baby_thigh_EQUIP_ILL_EN.jpg" alt="Le bas du corps d’un bébé avec une marque sur la cuisse" /> </figure> <h2>Bébés (jusqu’à 2 ans) </h2><p>Dans le cas des bébés, le site de l’injection intramusculaire est le côté avant extérieur de la cuisse. N’utilisez pas l’intérieur ni l’arrière de la cuisse. Si on divisait la cuisse en trois sections égales, le point d’injection se trouve au milieu de la troisième section. </p><p>Ce point d’injection nécessite une aiguille d’une longueur de 16 mm à 22 mm. Utilisez une aiguille de calibre 22 à 25. Le médecin de votre enfant pourrait vous recommander une aiguille plus longue en fonction de la taille de votre enfant. L’aiguille doit être suffisamment longue pour atteindre dans les profondeurs du muscle. Elle devrait traverser le tissu se trouvant juste au-dessus du muscle, appelé le tissu sous-cutané. Ceci aide à réduire l’irritation au tissu sous-cutané qui peut provoquer la douleur liée aux injections intramusculaires. </p><h2>Tout-petits (d'un à trois ans) </h2><p>Dans le cas des tout-petits, utilisez une aiguille de calibre 22 à 25. Deux points d’injection sont recommandés :</p><ul><li>Le muscle deltoïde : le muscle deltoïde se trouve à l’extrémité haute de la partie supérieure du bras. Administrez l’injection à ce point seulement si votre fournisseur de soins le désigne comme un point d’injection approprié pour votre enfant. L’injection dans la région deltoïdienne exige une taille d’aiguille de 16 mm. Cependant, les aiguilles de 22 à 25 mm peuvent être utilisées dans le cas des enfants plus âgés. L’infirmière ou le médecin vous conseillera à propos de la taille la plus appropriée pour votre enfant. Dans la région deltoïdienne, n’administrez que des injections qui sont moins de 0,5 ml.</li><li>Côté avant, extérieur de la cuisse : n’utilisez pas l’intérieur ni l’arrière de la cuisse. Si on divisait la cuisse en trois sections égales, le point d’injection se trouve au milieu de la troisième section.</li></ul><p>On pourrait vous recommander une aiguille plus longue en fonction de la taille de votre enfant. L’aiguille doit être suffisamment longue pour atteindre dans les profondeurs du muscle. Elle devrait traverser le tissu se trouvant juste au-dessus du muscle, appelé le tissu sous-cutané. Ceci aide à réduire l’irritation au tissu sous-cutané qui peut provoquer la douleur liée aux injections intramusculaires. </p> <figure> <span class="asset-image-title">Deltoid injection site</span><img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/Injection_intramuscular_deltoid_older_child_EQUIP_ILL_EN.jpg" alt="Le haut du corps d’un enfant avec une marque sur la partie supérieure du bras" /> </figure> <h2>Enfants (de trois à 18 ans) </h2><p>Dans le cas des enfants, utilisez toujours une aiguille de calibre 22 à 25. Deux points d’injection sont recommandés :</p><ul><li>Muscle deltoïde : le muscle deltoïde se trouve à l’extrémité haute de la partie supérieure du bras. L’infirmière ou le médecin vous conseillera à propos de la taille d’aiguille la plus appropriée pour votre enfant. L’injection dans la région deltoïdienne exige une taille d’aiguille de 16 mm. Cependant, les aiguilles d’une taille de 22 mm à 25 mm peuvent être utilisées dans le cas des enfants plus âgés. Dans la région deltoïdienne, n’administrez que des injections qui sont moins de 0,5 ml.</li><li>Cuisse : le milieu du côté avant extérieur de la cuisse. N’utilisez pas l’intérieur ni l’arrière de la cuisse. Si on divisait la cuisse en trois sections égales, le point d’injection se trouve au milieu de la troisième section. L’injection dans la cuisse exige une longueur d’aiguille d’au moins 16 mm, et même plus en fonction de la taille de votre enfant. </li></ul><p>Dans le cas des enfants plus âgés, le choix de la taille d’aiguille se fait en fonction du sexe et du poids de votre enfant. En général, une aiguille d’une longueur de 25 mm à 38 mm peut être utilisée dans le cas des adolescents.</p><ul><li>On recommande les aiguilles de 25 mm dans le cas des filles d’un poids supérieur à 60 kg et des garçons d’un poids de jusqu’à 118 kg. </li><li>On recommande les aiguilles de 38 mm dans le cas des filles d’un poids supérieur à 90 kg et des garçons d’un poids supérieur à 118 kg.</li></ul><h2>Points d’injection et calibre de l’aiguille </h2> <p>Le point d’injection dépend de l’âge de votre enfant. De plus, la taille de l’aiguille influe sur la localisation du point d’injection. La taille de l’aiguille dépend du poids de votre enfant et le genre de médicament en question. </p> <p>De plus, le choix du diamètre de l’aiguille est fait en fonction de l’âge de votre enfant. Cette taille est exprimée en une unité appelée « calibre ». Plus grand est le diamètre de l’aiguille, plus petit sera le numéro de jauge.</p> <p> La longueur de l’aiguille est ________. </p> <p>Le point d’injection de votre enfant est _______. </p> <p>Le numéro de jauge de l’aiguille est _______. </p> <p>Si l’injection que vous donnez a un volume supérieur à 1 mL, vérifiez auprès de votre fournisseur de soins concernant la localisation la plus appropriée dans le cas de votre enfant.</p>

 

 

 

 

Intramuscular injections: Injecting at home997.000000000000Intramuscular injections: Injecting at homeIntramuscular injections: Injecting at homeIEnglishPharmacyChild (0-12 years);Teen (13-18 years)NANADrug treatmentCaregivers Adult (19+)NA2019-10-04T04:00:00Z6.4000000000000072.00000000000001946.00000000000Health (A-Z) - ProcedureHealth A-Z<p>A guide on giving your child injections into the muscle (intramuscular) at home.</p><figure> <img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/Injection_intramuscular_BDsyringe_layers_EQUIP_ILL_EN.jpg" alt="Cross-section of skin, subcutaneous tissue and muscle with needle injected at a ninety-degree angle" /> </figure> <h2>What are intramuscular injections?</h2><p> An intramuscular (IM) injection is a medicine that is injected into the muscle. Medicines can also be given into the skin (intradermal), just below the skin (subcutaneous) or into a vein (intravenous).</p><h2>Getting your child to take needles</h2> <p>Children take their cues from their parents. Any fear or dislike you have of needles may make your child afraid too. Some parents find that reminding themselves that the injection allows their child to stay healthy makes injection time easier. For example, if parents say, "I need to give your injection so you will have lots of energy to play and to grow," the child begins to understand. Follow up each needle with a big hug and kiss, and get on with the day's activities.</p> <h2>Who should give the injection?</h2> <p>In many families, one person takes on most of the responsibilities for injections. However, there may be problems when that person is not there. It is important for all regular caregivers to share the responsibility of giving the injection. Your child should feel safe and confident with any of them. Single-parent families should get the help of a friend or relative. Some families work out a schedule. One parent might take care of the morning injections and the other parent looks after evening injections. Sharing the burden is also important to cope with the daily demands of your child's condition and to prevent parent burnout.</p><h2>Key points</h2> <ul> <li>An intramuscular (IM) injection is giving medicine with a needle into the muscle.</li> <li>The injection site varies with the age of your child.</li> <li>The size of the needle depends on the weight of your child and the type of drug they are taking.</li> <li>When injecting, hold the shaft of the syringe in dart fashion. Insert needle directly through the skin at a right angle (90° angle) into the muscle.</li> <li>Give the injection quickly, and do not pull back on the plunger before injecting as this causes more pain.</li> <li>Discard the needle and syringe in a thick, plastic bottle or sharps container with a lid. Bring it to your local pharmacy for disposal.</li> <li>Do not discard the needle in your regular garbage.</li> </ul><h2>What does it mean if there is bruising at the injection site?</h2> <p>This can happen from time to time. It is not harmful. It usually means the needle has nicked a tiny blood vessel. To reduce the chance of bruising, apply gentle pressure to the site with a dry piece of cotton or a clean finger after injecting. Also, remember not to insert the needle too slowly. If you have too much bruising, consult your health-care team. </p> <h2>What would happen if an air bubble was accidentally injected into your child?</h2> <p>It is not harmful to inject an air bubble under the skin. However, if you are injecting air rather than medicine, your child may not be getting the full dose of medicine.</p><h2>How to make injections less painful for your child</h2><h3>Medicines</h3><ul><li>Topical anaesthetic agents, such as EMLA, lidocaine, tetracaine can be applied before giving the injection. Follow the directions on the packet. Your pharmacist or nurse can tell you how long to apply these agents on your child's injection site.</li><li>Sugar mixture (oral sucrose 24%). You can make this at home by mixing one packet of sugar to two teaspoons of water. Place a few drops of the mixture onto your baby's tongue, a few minutes before the injection. Give a few drops right as you are giving the injection. This will make it less painful for your baby. You do not need to give all of the sucrose mixture to the baby. This works in children up to 18 months of age.</li></ul><h3>Distraction<br></h3><p>Babies can be distracted with colourful mobiles and mirrors. Younger children can be distracted with blowing bubbles or party blowers, reading a favourite book, playing with a musical toy or with the use of virtual reality glasses. Older children can choose what they wish to be distracted with: a hand-held video game, a book or music.</p><h3>Imagery and relaxation<br></h3><p>Ask your child to try to imagine a pleasant experience. As your child focuses on something other than the pain, ask them to describe it using all their senses. Your child can also pick an image that feels relaxing to them. You can also suggest other sensations such as sound, smell, taste and touch that go with the situation. You may suggest that as they breathe steadily in and out, they are blowing away the tension in their muscles.</p><h3>Reducing pain for babies and toddlers</h3> <figure><span class="asset-image-title">Straddle position</span><img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/Injection_baby_straddle_EQUIP_ILL_EN.jpg" alt="Mother holding baby sitting up on her lap, facing toward her chest" /> </figure> <ul><li>Straddle your baby on your lap so that they are facing you and their limbs on are on each side of you. This is similar to giving your child a "bear-hug". This position is easy to do when there are two people present. The other person can inject on one of the injection sites as you securely hold your baby in place. If you are alone, you can swaddle your baby in a blanket, leaving the limb out for injection.</li><li>Breastfeeding is a good time to give your baby an injection. This will make the injection less painful. This works when there is someone available to give the injection while you are feeding.</li><li>Let your child suck on a pacifier during the injection. Many toddlers and babies find this soothing and feel less pain during the injection. You can also dip the pacifier in the sugar mixture described above.</li></ul><h2>When to call the doctor</h2> <p>Call the doctor if your child experiences:</p> <ul> <li><a href="/Article?contentid=30&language=English">fever</a> or chills</li> <li>swelling or redness at the injection site that does not go away</li> </ul><h2>Premature infants</h2><p>For newborns, the IM injection site is the front outer side of the thigh. To inject into the thigh, the needle length must be 16 mm. Use a 23- to 25-gauge needle. </p> <figure> <span class="asset-image-title">Thigh injection site</span> <img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/Injection_site_baby_thigh_EQUIP_ILL_EN.jpg" alt="Lower body of baby with marking on thigh" /> </figure> <h2>Infants (up to 2 years of age)</h2><p>For infants, the IM injection site is the front outer side of the thigh. Do not use the inner thigh or back of the thigh. Divide the thigh into thirds; the injection site is in the middle third section. </p><p>To inject into the site, the needles must be 16mm to 22 mm long. Use a 22- to 25-gauge needle. Your baby's doctor may give you a longer needle depending on the size of your child. The needle must be long enough so that it will reach deep into the muscle. It should reach past the tissue just above the muscle, which is the subcutaneous (SC) tissue. This helps to reduce irritation to the subcutaneous tissue which can cause pain associated with IM injections. </p><h2>Toddler (1 to 3 years of age)</h2><p>For toddlers, use 22- to 25-gauge needles. There are two possible injection sites:</p><ul><li>Deltoid muscle: This is the top, upper part of the arm. Only inject in this site if your health-care provider tells you that this is an appropriate injection site for your child. To inject into the deltoid, the needle size must be 16 mm. However, needle sizes from 22 mm to 25 mm can be used for older children: The nurse or doctor will advise which needle size is appropriate for your child. Only give injections that are less than 0.5 mL into the deltoid.</li><li>Front, outer side of the thigh. Do not use the inner thigh or back of the thigh. Divide the thigh into thirds; the injection site is in the middle third section.</li></ul><p>You may be given a longer needle depending on the size of your child. The needle must be long enough so that it will reach deep into the muscle. It should reach past the tissue just above the muscle, which is the subcutaneous (SC) tissue. This helps to reduce irritation to the SC tissue which can cause pain associated with IM injections.</p> <figure> <span class="asset-image-title">Deltoid injection site</span> <img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/Injection_intramuscular_deltoid_older_child_EQUIP_ILL_EN.jpg" alt="Upper body of child with marking on upper arm near the shoulder" /> </figure> <h2>Children (3 to 18 years)</h2><p>For all children, use 22- to 25-gauge needles. There are two possible injection sites:</p><ul><li>Deltoid muscle: This is the top, upper part of the arm. The nurse or doctor will advise which needle size is appropriate for your child. To inject into the deltoid, the needle size must be 16 mm. However, needle sizes from 22 mm to 25 mm can be used for older children. Only give injections that are less than 0.5 mL into the deltoid. </li><li>Thigh: The middle of the front outer side of the thigh. Do not use the inner thigh or back of the thigh. Divide the thigh into thirds; the injection site is in the middle third section. To inject into the thigh, the needle size must be at least 16 mm long but may need to be longer depending on your child's size. </li></ul><p>For older children, the size of the needle depends on the sex and weight of your child. Generally, a needle that is 25 mm to 38 mm long can be used for adolescents.</p><ul><li>Use 25 mm needles for females who weigh over 60 kg and males up to 118 kg. </li><li>Use 38 mm needles for females who weigh over 90 kg and males over 118 kg.</li></ul><h2>Giving an IM injection</h2><p>You will need:</p><ul><li>a cotton ball</li><li>a container to throw away the needles. This can be a thick, plastic bottle or a sharps container with a lid.</li></ul><p>When giving your child the injection:</p><ol class="akh-steps"><li> <figure> <img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/Injection_intramuscular_wash_skin_EQUIP_ILL_EN.jpg" alt="Cleaning upper arm with sponge and soapy water" /> </figure> <p>Choose the injection spot. Clean the skin with soap and water (you do not need to use an alcohol swab), and pat dry. Try to change injection sites with each injection you give. For example, inject into the left thigh in the morning and the right thigh at night.</p></li><li> <figure> <img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/Injection_intramuscular_BDsyringe_angle_EQUIP_ILL_EN.jpg" alt="Inserting needle into upper arm at a ninety-degree angle" /> </figure> <p>Hold the shaft of the syringe in a dart-like fashion. Hold the muscle around the area so that it is stable and secure. Insert the needle directly through the skin at a right angle (90-degree angle) into the muscle. Try to do this quickly.</p></li><li> <figure> <img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/Injection_intramuscular_BDsyringe_inject_EQUIP_ILL_EN.jpg" alt="Placing finger on plunger of needle inserted at a ninety-degree angle" /> </figure> <p>Move your hand into position to direct the plunger. Do not move the needle tip once it is inserted.</p></li><li><p>Give the drug quickly to reduce pain, firmly pushing the plunger down as far as it will go. Do not pull back on the plunger before pushing the plunger down.<br></p></li><li><p>Pull the needle out gently at the same angle you put it in.</p></li><li> <figure> <img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/Injection_intramuscular_avoid_bruising_EQUIP_ILL_EN.jpg" alt="Holding cotton ball to upper arm" /> </figure> <p>Apply firm pressure with a cotton ball to the injection site for 30 seconds after each injection to reduce the chance of bruising. Do not rub the area as it may irritate the skin.</p></li><li><p>Put the needle and syringe in a thick, plastic bottle or sharps container with a lid. For safety, do not try to put the cap back on the needle. When the container is full, bring it to your local pharmacy and they can safely dispose of it for you. Do not put it in your regular garbage.</p></li></ol><h2>Injection sites and needle sizes </h2> <p>The injection site depends on your child's age. The size of the needle also influences the location of the injection site. The size of the needle depends on the weight of your child and the type of drug they are taking. </p> <p>The diameter of the needles also varies depending on your child's age. This size is described in units called "gauge numbers". Needles with larger diameters have smaller gauge numbers. </p> <p>The length of the needle is ________.</p> <p>You child's injection site is ________.</p> <p>The needle gauge number is ________.</p> <p>If the injection you are giving is more than 1 mL in volume, check with your health-care provider about which location is appropriate for your child.</p>https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/Injection_intramuscular_BDsyringe_layers_EQUIP_ILL_EN.jpgIntramuscular injections: Injecting at homeFalse

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