What angle should intramuscular (IM) injections in the deltoid be administered?

Administering intramuscular (IM) injections in the deltoid muscle should be done at a 90-degree angle to ensure that the medication is delivered properly into the muscle tissue. This angle allows for the needle to penetrate the muscle effectively, which is important for the absorption of the medication and minimizing discomfort for the patient.

When an injection is administered at a 90-degree angle, it reaches the thicker layers of muscle where the blood supply is richer, facilitating a quicker effect from the medication. This technique also helps to prevent the medication from leaking back into the subcutaneous tissue, ensuring that it remains in the muscular area for optimal absorption. Other angles, such as 45 degrees or 30 degrees, would not deliver the medication into the muscle effectively and could lead to complications or inadequate therapeutic effects. Therefore, using a 90-degree angle in the deltoid region is the recommended practice in administering IM injections.