Aims and intended learning outcomes

As knowledge to support nurses’ everyday practice increases, it is appropriate to reappraise routine procedures. This article revises nurses’ knowledge of the guiding principles for safe intradermal (ID), subcutaneous (SC), and intramuscular (IM) injections. It outlines the procedures used to select appropriate anatomical sites, and considers the idiosyncrasies of medications and patients’ special needs that may influence the choice of injection site. Issues related to the preparation of the patient and skin, and use of equipment, are discussed. Ways to reduce patient discomfort during the procedure are also suggested. The nurse is encouraged to review critically his or her injection technique in the light of evidence-based principles, to provide the patient with safe and effective care. After reading this article you should be able to: