immunizations are administered. Cardiac arrest may develop as a result of
anaphylactic shock, which can be caused by very small amounts of strange substances.
c. Wash Hands. Use the patient care handwash procedures.
d. Assemble Needle and Syringe. Use the procedures discussed in the first
lesson of this subcourse. Remember to adhere to strict aseptic techniques.
e. Check Expiration Date of Medication. Do not use a medication whose
expiration date has passed. Discard or return the medication to the pharmacy IAW local
policy.
f. Draw Medication into Syringe. Do not combine immunizations or other
medications into one syringe unless specifically ordered by the physician. Normally
these types of medications will be prepared by the pharmacy.
g. Identify Patient. Refer to the patient's wrist-name tag for the patient's name
or ask the patient, "What is your name?" and compare to the doctor's orders.
h. Prepare the Patient.
(1) Ask the patient about any known allergies before you administer any
medication. You should ask about specific allergic reactions such as penicillin, eggs, or
horse serum to refresh his memory. You should refer to his chart to see if any allergies
are listed. If the patient is a young child or an older person, they may not be able to tell
you. If there is a known allergy, consult the senior medical person in the area for
guidance. Do not administer the injection if you are not sure there are no allergies.
Allergic reactions can make the patient very sick or even cause death.
(2) Ask females about the possibility of current pregnancy. Some
medications can cause severe birth defects if given to the mother during pregnancy. If
there is a possibility of pregnancy, do not administer the injection. Refer the patient to
the physician or senior medical person.
(3) Provide privacy for the patient if injecting in the buttocks or lateral thigh.
Be sure to abide by a local SOP.
(4) Tell the patient about the injection procedure. Be sure to wake up a
patient if he has been sleeping. If a patient is unconscious and you think he cannot
understand what you are telling him, tell the patient anyway. A patient may be
frightened and/or violent. If this is the case, you must seek assistance.
i. Select Injection Site and Position Patient. An intramuscular injection is
usually given in the buttocks, thigh, or the upper arm area. If the medication is more
than 1 cc, give the injection in the buttocks. The amount of medication determines the
selection of the site.
MD0552
2-3