At what angle should an intramuscular injection be administered?

Intramuscular injections are typically administered at a 90-degree angle to ensure that the medication is delivered directly into the muscle tissue. This angle allows for optimal penetration of the needle into the muscle, minimizing the risk of injecting the medication into subcutaneous tissue or other types of tissues that may not absorb the medication as effectively.

Using a 90-degree angle means that the needle enters the muscle perpendicularly, which is essential for efficient absorption and distribution of the medication once injected. This technique helps to ensure that the medication reacts in the way it is intended, providing the therapeutic effect without unnecessary complications.

In contrast, administering an intramuscular injection at too shallow an angle could lead to the medication being deposited in layers of fat rather than in the muscle, which can affect its absorption and efficacy. Therefore, the 90-degree angle is the standard practice for intramuscular injections to maximize the delivery of the medication directly into the muscle tissue.