What happens if you give an IM injection in the wrong place?
What happens if you give an IM injection in the wrong place?
“A vaccine is an immunologically sensitive substance, and if you were to receive an injection too high – in the wrong place – you could get pain, swelling and reduced range of motion in that area,” says Tom Shimabukuro, deputy director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s immunization safety office.
What happens if you inject too much into deltoid?
A needle that is too long can penetrate the deltoid muscle, hitting the bone. Although patients will not feel their bones being hit, the vaccine might not fully absorb into the muscle, leading to a reduced immune response.
What should you avoid when using an IM injection?
Avoid muscles that are emaciated or atrophied; they will absorb medications poorly. IM injection sites should be rotated to decrease the risk of hypertrophy. Older adults and thin patients may only tolerate up to 2 ml in a single injection. Choose a site that is free from pain, infection, abrasions, or necrosis.
How do you know if you give an IM injection wrong?
However, within 30 minutes or so, more serious symptoms can develop, including:
- Coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
- Chest tightness.
- Hives.
- Dizziness or fainting.
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat.
- Weak pulse.
- Facial swelling.
- Swollen or itchy lips or tongue.
How do you know if you hit a nerve while injecting?
Unlike some veins, nerves are not visible from outside the body, although you will definitely know if you’ve hit one while injecting because you’ll experience extreme pain and no blood will enter the syringe when you pull back to register. You may feel an electric “burn” along your limb.
Is Bleeding After im injection normal?
Light bleeding at the injection site is normal, but a person can use a bandage if necessary.
What happens when needle hits nerve?
Nerve damage. If the nurse or other person drawing blood is not careful, they can inadvertently penetrate a nerve when inserting the needle. If blood is drawn from the underside of your wrist, you might damage the ulnar nerve. Nerve damage can cause tremendous pain, as well as tingling and muscle weakness.
Why do some intramuscular injections hurt?
The pain you are experiencing is usually soreness of the muscle where the injection was given. This pain is also a sign that your immune system is making antibodies in response to the viruses in the vaccine.
