Needle Sizes and Injection Angles

Subcutaneous Injections

• Injection angles: 45-90 degrees; 45 degrees for thin adults/children, 90 degrees for average patients.
• Typical doses: 0.5 to 1 mL.
• Needle sizes: 25 gauge; lengths of 1/2 to 5/8 inch.

Intramuscular Injections

• Injection angle: 90 degrees.
• Doses: 3 mL for adults, 1 mL for children.
• Needle sizes:
  • 22-27 gauge for aqueous medications,
  • 18-25 gauge for oil-based medications,
  • 5/8-1 inch for children,
  • 1-1.5 inches for adults.

Intradermal Injections

• Injection angle: 5-15 degrees.
• Doses: 0.01-0.1 mL.
• Needle sizes: Tuberculin or 1-mL syringes, 25-27 gauge, lengths of 3/8-5/8 inch.

Airlock Technique

• Involves injecting 0.2 mL of air subcutaneously to prevent leakage of medication.

Insulin Syringes

• Designed exclusively for insulin; standard 1 mL syringe calibrated for 100 units, 0.5 mL low-dose syringe for 50 units.

Subcutaneous Injection Sites

• Common sites: Back of arms, back near shoulder blades, mid-back, top of buttocks, abdomen, and thighs.

Preferred Intramuscular Injection Sites

• Vastus Lateralis for infants and Ventral Gluteal for adults and children.

Z-track Method

• Skin is pulled taut, injection at 90 degrees, wait 10 seconds before withdrawing needle, then release skin to seal medication in.

Eye Drops Administration

• Administer drops in the conjunctival sac, apply pressure for 30-60 seconds to minimize systemic absorption, wait several minutes between different drops.

Eye Ointment Application

• Evenly apply a strip of ointment along the inner to outer canthus of the conjunctival sac.

Ear Drops Administration

• Adults: pull pinna up and back; children: pull pinna down and back.
• Have the patient lie on their side for 5-10 minutes, wait between administrations.

Metered Dose Inhalers (MDIs)

• Hold inhaler 1-2 inches from the mouth, instruct the patient to breathe out, press down to release medication while inhaling, hold breath for 10 seconds, and exhale through pursed lips.
• Wait 1-2 minutes between puffs and 2-5 minutes between different medications.