At what angle should a nurse administer an intramuscular injection?

Administering an intramuscular injection at a 90-degree angle is essential to ensure the medication is delivered directly into the muscle tissue. This angle allows for proper insertion of the needle through the skin and subcutaneous tissue into the muscle. Intramuscular injections require penetration of deeper layers to achieve adequate absorption of the medication. The 90-degree angle facilitates a more direct route for the medication, ensuring that it is dispersed into the muscular tissue rather than remaining in fatty or superficial layers.

In contrast, angles such as 45, 30, or 60 degrees are more appropriate for subcutaneous injections, where the goal is to introduce medication into the tissue just below the skin rather than deeper into the muscle. Therefore, administering an intramuscular injection at a 90-degree angle is critical for effective medication delivery and patient safety.