1.
- sites of injection: anterolateral aspect of the mid-thigh
- muscle targeted in injection: vastus lateralis
- origin: greater trochanter and linea aspera of femur
- insertion: patella via quadriceps tendon and then tibial tuberosity via patellar ligament
- action: all four heads extend leg at knee joint
- how to locate:
- Position the patient lying down or being held by a parent.
- Palpate the muscle below the greater trochanter and above the femoral condyle.
- Divide the muscle into thirds and administer the injection into the middle third of the muscle, in the outer anterolateral aspect, lateral to the midpoint of the thigh.
2.
- muscle targeted in injection: deltoid
- origin: acromial extremity of clavicle, acromion of scapula, and spine of scapula
- insertion: deltoid tuberosity of humerus
- action: lateral fibers abduct arm at shoulder joint; anterior fibers flex and medially rotate arm at shoulder joint; posterior fibers extend and laterally rotate arm at shoulder joint
- how to locate:
- Sit the patient comfortably with their arm visible from the shoulder to the top of the elbow.
- Palpate the acromion and trace the imaginary inverted triangle below the shoulder.
- Administer the injection 3-5 cms below the acromion; in the middle of the triangle.
Sources: Nursing guidelines : Intramuscular Injections. (n.d.). https://www.rch.org.au/rchcpg/hospital_clinical_guideline_index/Intramuscular_Injections/