Vitamin B-12, also known as cyanocobalamin, is used medically to treat vitamin B-12 deficiency. It's also used as a supplement to increase energy levels and improve concentration. Vitamin B-12 may be administered by mouth, in the nose or by injection. You can inject it into a muscle, called an intramuscular shot, or under the skin, called a subcutaneous shot. Injectable B-12 requires a prescription from a doctor, but you may self-administer the shot at home. Thoroughly wash your hands before handling your supplies. Clean hands will limit contamination of the product and of the injection site. If you are giving a injection to someone else, wear latex gloves. Gather your B-12 medication vial, a 1 ml syringe and a 22- to 25-gauge needle that's 1 to 1 1/2 inches long. The larger-gauge needle is finer than the 22 and will provide the most comfort during the injection. Also, the needle needs to be long enough to reach the muscle of the person you're injecting. Attach the needle to the syringe.
Make sure the needle locks onto the syringe by first inserting then turning it until it securely locks in place.Uncap the B-12 vial and wipe the top of it with an alcohol swab. Then draw an amount of air equal to the volume of your injection into the syringe. For example, if your dose is 1 ml, pull back the plunger on your syringe to the 1 ml mark. Pick up the vial and insert the needle of the syringe into the vial at a 90-degree angle. This will prevent coring--the introduction of pieces of the vial's rubber stopper into the vial. Inject the air into the vial and, after inverting the vial, draw the appropriate volume of B-12 solution into the syringe by pulling back the plunger. Withdraw the syringe and needle from the vial. Choose your injection site. Intramuscular shots may be given in the upper arm, thigh or buttocks. Prepare the injection site by cleaning it with alcohol. Inject the medication into the muscle by inserting the needle at a 90-degree angle using a quick and smooth motion.
Then depress the plunger, slowly releasing all of the medication into the muscle. Withdraw the needle and discard it in a sharps container. Apply pressure to the injection site using a cotton ball to reduce bleeding. Apply an adhesive bandage if needed. Click here to study/print these flashcards. Create your own flash cards! When preparing a medication for a subcutaneous injection, what size needle length is needed? A. 1 1/2 - 2 inchB. 1 - 1 1/2 inchC. 5/8 - 1/2 inchD. 3/8 - 5/8 inch c) Needle length for subcutaneous injections is usually 5/8 - 1/2 inch. The preferred site for I.M. injections for children younger than age 3 is: A. DorsoglutealB. B) Vastus lateralis is the preferred site because it is free of nerves and blood vessels. You are getting ready to administer a subcutaneous injection of insulin. At what angle can the injection be given? A. 45 or 90 degreesB. 15 or 45 degreesD. A) Depending on the amount of subcutaneous tissue the patient has, the injection can be administered at a 45- or 90-degree angle.
The physician orders for a patient to receive cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) 100 mcg I.M. every month. The vial reads: cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) 0.5 mg per 1 ml. How many milliliters will you administer to the patient? A) Convert 100 mcg to mg = 0.1 mg. Formula is: desired amount (0.1 mg) divided by amount on hand (0.5 mg) then multiplied by mL (1 ml). The amount to be given is 0.2 ml. After a possible exposure to TB, a 25 year old health worker receives a TB skin test. The skin test will be given by the following type of injection:A) IntramuscularB) IntradermalC) SubcutaneousD) Intravenous The physician orders vitamin B12 IM for a 70 year old with a history of pernicious anemia. The nurse is choosing from the following gauges of needles. Which one is most appropriate?A) 22 gaugeB) 25 gaugeC) 18 gaugeD) 16 gauge Insulin is to be given to a well-nourished 55 year old man admitted for diabetes mellitus. His insulin is to be given via subcutaneous injection. What angle is acceptable for the injection?
A) 45 degreesB) 90 degreesC) 15 degrees onlyD) 35 degrees only The nurse is deciding on the angle used in delivering subcutaneous heparin. The decision will be based on the:A) amount of solution in the syringe.B) length and gauge of the needle.C) amount of subcutaneous tissue of the patient.D) needle length and the amount of subcutaneous tissue available. C) amount of subcutaneous tissue of the patient. The patient complains of nausea after having a total abdominal hysterectomy. The nurse prepares an injection of promethazine (Phenergan) 25 mg for IM injection and selects a needle length of:A) 1 to 1 1/2 inchesB) 3/8 inchC) 5/8 inchD) 1/4 inch A) 1 to 1 1/2 inch A 6 month old is to be immunized for diptheria, tetanus, and pertussis. His IM injection will be given in which muscle?A) DeltoidB) VentroglutealC) Gluteus maximusD) Vastus lateralis Epinephrine contained in 0.3 mL is ordered for an 18 year old who had an anaphylactic reaction to a bee sting. Which syringe is the best choice for delivering this volume of fluid?
A) 1 mL tuberculin syringeB) 100 units per 1 mL syringeC) 3 mL syringeD) 5 mL syringe A) 1 mL tuberculin syringe A nurse is preparing to administer an intradermal injection. Which of the following should the nurse do to ensure proper technique?A)Rub the injection site after withdrawing the needle?B) Pinch 1/2 inch of skin and inject at a 45 degree angle.C) Use a tuberculin syringe with a 3/8 to 5/8 inch, 25 to 27 gauge needle.D) Choose a site at least 2 inches from the umbilicus. C) Use a tuberculin syringe with a 3/8 to 5/8 inch, 25 to 27 gauge needle. A nurse is administering a subcutaneous injection to a patient. Which of the following data should the nurse recognize as the highest priority to prevent possible complications?A) Identify the patient's level of knowledge about the medication.B)Identify is the patient has allergies to the medication.C) Identify a specific site for injection.D) Identify the rationale for the patient receiving the medication. B)Identify is the patient has allergies to the medication.
The proper needle length when giving an intramuscular injection to the ventrogluteal area to an average sized adult is which of the following:A)1/2 inchB) 1 inchC) 1 1/2 inchesD) 2 inches C) 1 1/2 inches A nurse is preparing to give an intramuscular injection into the left ventrogluteal muscle. Which of the following should the nurse do to locate the appropriate site?A) Measure two fingerbreadths below the acromium process.B) Measure a handbreadth above the knee and a handbreadth below the greater trochanter.C) With the heel of the hand on the greater trochanter, point the index finger up toward the anterior superior iliac spine, extending the other fingers back along the iliac crest.D) Divide the buttock into four quadrants and give the injection in the upper, outer quadrant. C) With the heel of the hand on the greater trochanter, point the index finger up toward the anterior superior iliac spine, extending the other fingers back along the iliac crest. A patient is to receive 30 mg of ketorolac (Toradol) IM every 6 hr for 48 hr.