Four-year-old Patrick is at the doctor for an IM injection, and begs you to use one of the tiny needles he remembers from a skin test for allergies because that did not hurt much.What should you do?
A) Agree to the change but only if the molecules of the medicine will fit through the tiny lumen of the needles.
B) Agree to the change as long as he will be cooperative, as his comfort is important.
C) Carefully explain to Patrick and his parents why you cannot do this, and give the injection as ordered.
D) Document the incident as medication refusal and do not give the shot.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Carefully explaining to Patrick and his parents why the requested change cannot be accommodated is important for maintaining trust and ensuring that the medication is administered safely and effectively. The size of the needle used for intramuscular (IM) injections is determined by factors such as the viscosity of the medication and the depth it needs to reach within the muscle, not just patient comfort.

Four-Year-Old Patrick Is at the Doctor for an IM Injection