Penicillin IM to thigh in adult

1 I hate giving shots! Really hate it. I gave my first PCN today. Last edit by AggieNurse99 on Mar 17, '11
That is one of the worst shots I have seen given. Some very thick painful stuff. I received a toradol shot and man that sucker burned bad, I wasn't expecting that.

Clexane is another one that really stings... Usually about 5 mins after the actual injection and stings for about 15-20 mins. I felt sorry for all the pts I had ever given it too and said "This wont hurt, just a tiny prick"

Quote from Jess1990Clexane is another one that really stings... Usually about 5 mins after the actual injection and stings for about 15-20 mins. I felt sorry for all the pts I had ever given it too and said "This wont hurt, just a tiny prick"

I give these at work to those who have a + RPR (syphilis). I give it in the glutes, though. Why not give it in the glutes to an adult? I would think the thigh would hurt worse.

I had IM's and I really hate giving in the glutes, I'm afraid of the sciatic nerve. So far my clients say it didn;t even hurt, I try so hard to give it with the least pain as possible.

I guess I go laterally enough that I'm not too afraid of hitting the sciatic nerve. (Hope I never hit the sciatic nerve!)

I don't mind giving IM's to adults, but since I'm in the NICU I dont' get to do that. IV's and other sticks don't bother me, but something about giving IM injections into scrawny little preemie thighs makes me feel like the most horrible person on earth. I always apologize to the baby beforehand, and then usually end up holding them and cuddling them afterwards. Honestly, I think they get over it way before I do.

It's years since I gave an IM injection. Why not use the IV route?

Outside of vaccines, I have seen a lot of IM injections in urgent care or ED where the person didn't have or need an IV.