How is an injection given intramuscularly (IM); subcutaneously (s.c.)?
The most convenient site for subcutaneous injections are either in the abdomen or on the navel area where there is a lot of loose skin and layers of fatty tissue, or in the upper thigh. The way to do this is to pick up a large area of skin between the fingers and the thumb. The needle should be inserted at the base of the pinched up skin at a 45 angle to the skin surface. The injection site should be varied with each injection (e.g., if an injection is made on the right side of the abdomen one time, the next injection should be on the left side of the abdomen). The best site for IM injection is the upper outer quadrant of the buttocks muscle. Stretching the skin helps the needle to go in more easily and pushes the tissue beneath the skin out of the way. The needle must be inserted deep enough to reach the muscular layer and at a 90 angle to the skin surface. Pushing in with a quick thrust causes the least discomfort.
