IM (Intramuscular) Injections

Please ensure that you have completed the Sharps Safety page in conjunction with this page. Note in particular the information and guidance around re-sheathing of sharps. 

Read the illustrated guide to intramuscular injections on ClinicalSkills.net here: 

You will need to be logged into ClinicalSkills.net to use these pages: Go to ClinicalSkills.net, click login at the top, enter your user name and password. You must have set up your account to do this. For further information on how to login to your ClinicalSkills.net account please click here: How to Login to ClinicalSkills.net

Intramuscular injection using the deltoid site  

Intramuscular injection using the dorsogluteal site  

Intramuscular injection using the vastus lateralis site  

Intramuscular injection using the ventrogluteal site 

Click on the button below to navigate to the 'Take a Test' area of ClinicalSkills.net. Please make sure you're logged into ClinicalSkills.net already, otherwise you may not be able to open and take the test. Once you have reached the 'Take a Test' area, select 'Local Tests' and then click on the test called 'Intramuscular Injection (General)' to begin. You will need to score 80% or more to pass. Make sure you've read the ClinicalSkills.net procedure thoroughly before taking the test as many of the answers will be found within there!

If you'd like a step by step checklist for one of the other possible IM injection sites (dorsogluteal or vastus lateralis) these can be found on the individual ClinicalSkills.net pages listed above in the 'Read' section.

Royal Marsden Manual of Clinical Procedures (9th Edition): Injections and infusions - Page 588-611

ProQuest Ebook Central - Reader 

Date reviewed: 

Next review: August 2023