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Nursing vocabulary · Medication Administration

Intramuscular

Meaning in nursing, with examples

/ˌɪntrəˈmʌskjələr/adjectiveCommon term

In nursing, intramuscular means: Into a muscle; used for injections given deep into a large muscle, such as in the upper arm, thigh or buttock area.

In Turkish: kas içi, intramüsküler

How it is used

Shortened to IM ('an IM injection', 'given IM'). Many vaccines and some antibiotics and painkillers are given this way. Common sites are the deltoid, the vastus lateralis and the ventrogluteal area, and a longer needle is used than for subcutaneous injections.

Example sentences

  1. The flu vaccine is given as an intramuscular injection into the upper arm.

  2. Many hospitals now prefer the ventrogluteal site for intramuscular injections.

Common collocations

  • intramuscular injection
  • given intramuscularly
  • intramuscular route
  • deep intramuscular injection
  • subcutaneousUnder the skin, in the layer of fat above the muscle; used for injections, such as insulin and some blood-thinning medicines, given into this layer.
  • routeThe way a medicine enters the body, for example by mouth (oral), into a vein (IV), into a muscle (IM) or under the skin (subcutaneous).
  • administerTo give a medicine or treatment to a patient, by any route, according to a prescription or protocol.
  • sharps binA strong plastic container with a lid, often yellow, into which used needles, blades and other sharp items are put for safe disposal.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Medication Administration

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.