needle length and medication routes

needle gauge of 27-28 and needle length of 3/8 in

intradermal (ID)

needle gauge of 25-26 and needle length of 1/2 in, 5/8 in

subcutaneous (SC)

needle gauge of 29-23 and needle length of 1 to 3 in

intramuscular (IM)

what are the IM sites

deltoid muscle, ventrogluteal muscle, and vastus lateralis muscle

deltoid muscle

upper arm at 90 degrees, only used for adult and older children, dose should not exceed 1 mL, and is massaged after

ventrogluteal muscle

in hip, 90 degrees, used when deep IM injections are prescribed or larger quantities are needed, good for viscous medications

vastus lateralis muscle

mid to upper outer thigh, 90 degrees, used for vaccines and medication administration for children younger than 3

are vaccines or medications aspirated

medications

subcutaneous

multiple sites (common: upper outer arm, abdomen and thigh), 45 degree angle, when used regularly for health maintenance it should be rotated, do not aspirate for vaccines, insulin or heparin and should not be massaged after these two

intradermal

one hand width from wrist and elbow, in anterior forearm and upper back, 10 to 15 degree angle, used for testing, wheal expected, do not massage or apply pressure, do not aspirate most common site for TB is forearm while allergy testing is done on back

buccal

between cheek and gums for rapid absorption, bypasses the digestive system

sublingual

under tongue, bypasses the digestive system, can be solids or liquid sprays

inhalation

used for targeted areas such as bronchial passages and can be delivered via nebulizer

topical

react locally and systematic absorption is minimal

mucosal

absorb into and through the mucous membranes, can be done nasally, vagina, rectum, eye or ear

transdermal

used for continuous slow absorption, used for smoking cessation (nicotine patches), pain medication and hormone delivery