Editor’s note: This is an updated version of the article originally published in August 2014. Show Selecting the proper needle length when vaccinating your patients is critical — vaccine must reach the desired tissue site for optimal immune response to occur. To determine the proper needle length to use in each situation, you must consider the following factors:
Below is a summary of the guidance for choosing the proper needle length for intramuscular and subcutaneous injections based on CDC’s General Best Practice Guidelines for Immunization (Vaccine Administration). For infants, children and teensIntramuscular (IM) injections: Injection site and needle size
Subcutaneous (Subcut) injections: Injection site and needle size
For adultsIntramuscular (IM) injections The deltoid muscle is most often used as the site for IM injections in adults. Needle length is usually 1"–1½", 22–25 gauge, but a longer or shorter needle may be needed depending on the patient's weight. Note: An alternate site for IM injection in adults is the anterolateral thigh muscle. The needle length and gauge are the same as when the deltoid muscle is used, i.e., 1"–1½” length, 22–25 gauge. You should choose needle length based on the weight of your adult patients, as follows:
Subcutaneous (Subcut) injections
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Which gauge of needle is appropriate for an intradermal injection?Equipment used for ID injections is a tuberculin syringe calibrated in tenths and hundredths of a millilitre, and a 1/4 to 1/2 in., 26 or 27 gauge needle. The dosage of an ID injection is usually under 0.5 ml. The angle of administration for an ID injection is 5 to 15 degrees.
What needle gauge is used for intradermal injections quizlet?Equipment used for an intradermal injection includes a tuberculin syringe calibrated in tenths and hundredths of a milliliter and a 1/4- to 1/2-inch, 25- or 27-gauge needle.
Which of the following is the proper needle position for intradermal injection?Place the needle almost flat against the patient's skin, bevel side up, and insert the needle into the skin. Keeping the bevel side up allows for smooth piercing of the skin and induction of the medication into the dermis.
What are intradermal injections?Intradermal injection, often abbreviated ID, is a shallow or superficial injection of a substance into the dermis, which is located between the epidermis and the hypodermis.
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