Angle used for giving IM injection is?& x20; - AIIMS Rishikesh & Jodhpur NO - 2017

AIIMS Rishikesh & Jodhpur NO - 2017

Nursing Foundation

Easy

Appeared in: AIIMS Rishikesh & Jodhpur NO - 2017

Explanation

Intramuscular (IM) injections are administered at a 90-degree angle to the skin.
This perpendicular angle ensures the needle passes through the skin and subcutaneous fat to deposit medication deep into the muscle tissue.
Muscle tissue has a rich blood supply, which allows for faster absorption of the medication compared to the subcutaneous route.
A 90-degree angle is standard for most adult patients to ensure the medication reaches the intended muscle mass.

Option A: A 45-degree angle is not used for IM injections. This angle would likely deposit the medication into the subcutaneous tissue, not the muscle, leading to improper absorption and potential tissue irritation.
Option C: A 30-degree angle is too shallow for an IM injection and would result in the medication being delivered into the subcutaneous or even intradermal layer.
Option D: A 60-degree angle is incorrect for a standard IM injection. While steeper than a subcutaneous injection, it may not be sufficient to reliably reach the deep muscle tissue in all patients.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Parenteral Medication Administration: Injection Angles as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Correct injection technique is a fundamental nursing skill essential for patient safety and therapeutic effectiveness. Using the wrong angle can lead to complications like nerve damage (especially in the deltoid or dorsogluteal sites), hematoma, abscesses, and failure of the medication to work as intended.
Nurses must assess the patient's body habitus (e.g., muscle mass, amount of adipose tissue) to select the appropriate needle length and, in some cases, modify the technique (like the Z-track method) to ensure proper medication delivery.
What if the patient is very thin or cachectic? The nurse might still use a 90-degree angle but would use a shorter needle and grasp the muscle tissue to ensure the injection enters the muscle and not the bone.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the core question: The question asks for the specific angle for an intramuscular (IM) injection.
Recall knowledge of parenteral administration routes. Think about the different types of injections (IM, SC, ID) and their purposes.
Relate the purpose to the angle. IM injections need to reach deep muscle. A perpendicular (90-degree) angle is the most direct path to achieve this depth.
Evaluate the options. Compare the given angles (45, 90, 30, 60) to the standard angles for different injection types. 90 degrees is the standard for IM, 45 degrees for SC, and 10-15 degrees for ID. This confirms 90 degrees is the correct choice.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QNsWro4YTWWieBuZ-HmyCF

E6 Pharmacology Nursing Lilley 11e Part 1 p. 132-134

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 3 pp. 174-176, 173-175