I got resistance when giving IM injection in deltoid. What does that mean?

I am a new LVN and just started working at a flu shot clinic. When I was giving someone their flu shot today- I only got about half the dose injected when I got resistance- I couldnt push the plunger anymore. Why did that happen? I talked with the other nurse and she said that had never happened to her before. This is the second time its happened to me. It happened yesterday too. She said that maybe they were too tense. Is that a possibility? What could have caused that? I was worried I did something wrong.
They tensed up their muscle severely. It's happened to me twice in my career. I'm not really sure what you're supposed to do about it either. Any advice?

I usually ask them to sit if possible and to have them put thier arm resting across thier lap. Encourage them to look the other way or keep them in conversation to keep thier mind off the injection for that moment. Lot of people will watch and tense up soon as they see that needle coming anticipating pain. Normal reaction. Also be sure if it's someone small stature that your not going too deep. Thats a nasty feeling when you do hit bone eww. I also massage the area very well with the etoh which helps to relax that muscle.

yes that happened to me to i just started working flu clinic also. scared me cause she was so tiny and felt like i met the bone.

got me thinking....are there any negative consequences that result from actually hitting the bone in a smaller patient? (I'm a bsn student and have not administered many shots yet)

I agree, to make them relaxed I do all the above ( massage with etoh, engage in conversation, make them look away and tell them to dangle the hand instead resting on the table/lap). I did hit the bone once and that taught me to pinch big chunk of the muscle( esp. in skinny clients), which gives more room. We've been told there is no really harm to hit the bone, unless the needle breaks of course, because the needle is sterile and the bone too hard to be injured. Hope everyone is enjoying their flu clinic experience, its my first job(new grad ) and I'm happy to have one

Find placement, pinch the muscle up, inject.

Quote from waggykeeperI agree, to make them relaxed I do all the above ( massage with etoh, engage in conversation, make them look away and tell them to dangle the hand instead resting on the table/lap). I did hit the bone once and that taught me to pinch big chunk of the muscle( esp. in skinny clients), which gives more room. We've been told there is no really harm to hit the bone, unless the needle breaks of course, because the needle is sterile and the bone too hard to be injured. Hope everyone is enjoying their flu clinic experience, its my first job(new grad ) and I'm happy to have one

I gave flu shots for the first time this week at a clinic. I had the same problem. The managing nurse told me to aim a little lower on the arm. She was right. Make sure you aim at least two full finger widths below the edge of the acromion process.

One more question about giving flu shots- Do you count first? I dont know how I started this, but I keep saying- 1..2..3- then give it. Maybe thats making it worse for people? How do you give a shot?

Quote from saigelilyOne more question about giving flu shots- Do you count first? I dont know how I started this, but I keep saying- 1..2..3- then give it. Maybe thats making it worse for people? How do you give a shot?

It is also less painful if you dart the needle in quickly rather than slowly pushing it in. That way you are piercing the underlying tissue rather than tearing it as the needle goes in.

Quote from OrcaIt is also less painful if you dart the needle in quickly rather than slowly pushing it in. That way you are piercing the underlying tissue rather than tearing it as the needle goes in.