Subcutaneous Injections

General Information

Subcutaneous Sites:

Anterior View

Posterior View

Indications for Subcutaneous Injections:

The onset of action for subcutaneous ( SC, SQ) injections is usually slower than for intramuscular (IM) injections (heparin is absorbed as quickly when given SC).

Overview of Intramuscular Injections

Intramuscular Sites for Injection

Deltoid

Landmarks: 2 fingerwidths down from the acromion process; the bottom edge is at an imaginary line drawn from the axilla

Intramuscular Injection to Deltoid:

Ventrogluteal

Administering Intramuscular Injections

Equipment:

Needles: Commonly range in size from 27 gauge to 16 gauge (how big around the needle is) and from 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches long.

Selecting the gauge is based on how thick the medication is and the injection site (eg. muscle versus subcutaneous tissue).
The needle length is where you want to be able to deliver the medication

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Injections