Intradermal injection is given at:

Appeared in: BHU NO-2019

Explanation

Intradermal (ID) injections are administered into the dermis, the layer of skin just below the epidermis.
To ensure the needle reaches this superficial layer without going deeper, a very shallow angle of 5 to 15 degrees is required.
This technique is essential for procedures like tuberculin (Mantoux) testing and allergy skin tests, where a localized reaction and slow absorption are necessary.
A small bleb or wheal forming under the skin is the expected outcome and confirms correct placement.

Option B: A 45-degree angle is too steep for an intradermal injection and would likely deposit the medication into the subcutaneous tissue.
Option C: A 90-degree angle is used for deep tissue injections and would bypass the dermis entirely, delivering the medication into the muscle.
Option D: A 30-degree angle is steeper than required for an intradermal injection and is not a standard angle for this route.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Parenteral Medication Administration as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Using the correct injection angle is a critical nursing skill for patient safety and medication efficacy.
Administering an intradermal injection at the wrong angle (e.g., 45° or 90°) can lead to a false-negative result in diagnostic tests like the TB test, as the medication is absorbed too quickly from the subcutaneous or muscle tissue.
What if? If a nurse administers a TB test at a 90-degree angle, the tuberculin protein would enter the muscle. This would not produce the required localized skin reaction, potentially leading to an inaccurate reading and failure to identify a person with a TB infection.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: 'Intradermal injection' and 'angle'.
Recall the different types of parenteral injections and their purposes. Intradermal is for superficial skin tests.
Visualize the layers of the skin (epidermis, dermis, subcutaneous, muscle). To get into the dermis (the layer just under the surface), the angle must be very shallow.
Evaluate the given options. 15° is the shallowest angle listed, which logically corresponds to the most superficial injection type.
Associate each angle with its corresponding injection type: 15° for intradermal, 45°/90° for subcutaneous, and 90° for intramuscular.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Pharmacology Nursing Lilley 11e Part 1 p. 133-135

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 3 p. 173-175

Practise the full BHU NO-2019

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.