At what angle should a nurse administer an intramuscular injection?

Administering an intramuscular injection at a 90-degree angle is the standard practice for ensuring that the medication is delivered deep into the muscle tissue. This angle allows for optimal penetration of the muscle, minimizing the risk of injecting the medication into subcutaneous tissue or fat, which could lead to ineffective medication absorption or discomfort for the patient.

When administering an intramuscular injection, the needle should be inserted quickly and steadily at this angle to achieve the best outcomes. Using a 90-degree angle also aligns with anatomical considerations, ensuring that the muscle fibers are targeted directly. This technique is particularly important when administering medications that require rapid absorption, as muscle tissue has a rich blood supply compared to other tissues, facilitating faster systemic circulation of the medication.