Injection Techniques

Troubleshooting

When injection techniques does not go as expected, systematically review each step of the procedure. Check equipment calibration, verify technique, and repeat the measurement if results seem inconsistent with the clinical picture. Report discrepancies to the supervisor rather than guessing at the correct value.

Equipment & Tools

Parenteral routes: intradermal (15°), subcutaneous (45°), intramuscular (90°) with specific site selection. Injection technique, needle selection, and Z-track tested on MA exam.

Clinical connection: Respirations technique involves Count without patient awareness (keep fingers on wrist), observe chest rise, count 30 sec x 2 or 60 .

Workplace Applications

Workplace application of injection techniques requires fluency in medical terminology:

Key Values & Ranges

Lipid panel:

• Total cholesterol: under 200 mg/dL desirable
• LDL: under 100 mg/dL optimal
• HDL: over 40 mg/dL (M), over 50 mg/dL (F)
• Triglycerides: under 150 mg/dL

Urinalysis:

• pH: 4.5-8.0
• Specific gravity: 1.005-1.030
• Protein: negative
• Glucose: negative
• WBC: 0-5/HPF
• RBC: 0-3/HPF
• Bacteria: negative

Assessment Techniques

Respirations: Count without patient awareness (keep fingers on wrist), observe chest rise, count 30 sec x 2 or 60 sec if irregular. Normal: Normal adult: 12-20/min. Tachypnea over 20, bradypnea under 12.

Pulse: Radial (most common), count 60 sec if irregular. Apical: left MCL, 5th ICS, count 60 sec. Pulse deficit: apical minus radial.. Normal: Normal adult: 60-100 bpm. Tachycardia over 100, bradycardia under 60.