What is one common complication of intramuscular injections?

Infection is a common complication of intramuscular injections due to the break in the skin barrier, which can allow bacteria to enter the body. When an injection is administered, especially if proper aseptic technique is not followed, pathogens can be introduced at the site of the injection. This may lead to localized infections, characterized by redness, swelling, warmth, and pain at the injection site, or in more severe cases, systemic infections.

While anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction and can occur with any medication, it is not a common complication specifically tied to intramuscular injections themselves, and is more about individual response to the substance being administered. Nausea and headaches are also not direct complications of the injection process but could arise from other factors, such as the effect of the medication being administered. Focused on the procedure itself, infection stands out as a clear risk associated with the direct action of giving an injection in a muscle.