At what angle should a psychiatric technician inject a needle for an IM medication?

The correct angle for injecting intramuscular (IM) medication is 90 degrees. This angle is ideal because it allows the needle to penetrate the muscle tissue directly, ensuring that the medication is deposited deep into the muscle where it can be absorbed efficiently into the bloodstream. Injecting at this angle helps minimize the risk of injecting into subcutaneous tissue or blood vessels, which could lead to ineffective absorption or complications.

When performing an IM injection, it's essential to choose the correct site (such as the deltoid, vastus lateralis, or ventrogluteal muscles) and to hold the skin taut for proper delivery of the medication. Adhering to a 90-degree angle also aligns with established best practices in nursing and medical protocols for IM injections, promoting patient safety and comfort.