intramuscular route of injectionpurposewhen

Question

Intramuscular Route of Injection

Purpose

1. When rapid action is required. 
2. When drug would prove irritating to the subcutaneous tissue. 
3. Site selected must be where there is a reasonable amount of muscle with no underlying nerves or blood vessels that can be damaged. 

The site selected for children are:

1. Ventrogluteal area. 
2. Vastus lateralis (infant and young child). 
3. Rectus femoris (alternate site) for infant and young child. 
4. Gluteal region (Children who have been walking for 1 year at least). 
5. Deltoid (any age), needle guage usually used is 25-22 guage. 1% inch needle for gluteus maximus.