Intramuscular injection (ventrogluteal)

Intramuscular injection into the gluteus medius using the Hochstetter method — safe localisation, knowing the contraindications and observing the person afterwards.

Content created with AI assistance from public clinical sources (RKI, AWMF) – may contain mistakes; if in doubt, your textbook is right

Translated from the German original, which is authoritative. The exam itself is in German.

Material

• Doctor’s order or medication plan, summary of product characteristics (Fachinformation) of the preparation
• Medicine, syringe of suitable size, drawing-up needle and injection needle of suitable length (according to build) — with a safety mechanism where technically possible (TRBA 250)
• Skin antiseptic and swabs as per the hygiene plan, disposable gloves, plaster
• Disinfected work surface, puncture-proof sharps container

Typical mistakes in the exam

• Not asking about contraindications such as anticoagulation
• Determining the injection site by eye instead of by the bony landmarks
• Injecting with the drawing-up needle
• Not waiting for the contact time of the skin antiseptic
• Recapping the used needle
• Leaving the person alone immediately after the injection

What examiners ask afterwards

• Why do you prefer the ventrogluteal site to the upper outer quadrant of the buttock?
• What are the contraindications of intramuscular injection, and what are the reasons for them?
• Who bears which responsibility for an i.m. injection?
• How do you recognise an injection abscess or nerve damage?
• Where is adrenaline given intramuscularly in anaphylaxis, and why there?

Sources

• KRINKO: Anforderungen an die Hygiene bei Punktionen und Injektionen (RKI)
• TRBA 250: Biologische Arbeitsstoffe im Gesundheitsdienst und in der Wohlfahrtspflege (BAuA)
• Fachinformation des jeweiligen Arzneimittels (Applikationsart, Injektionsvolumen, Besonderheiten)