Paramedic Recert EMS Care | 23-MCIT-F3-4118 | Medication Delivery starts with the introduction to the topic.

The chapter discusses  medication routes, including oral, sublingual, buccal, subcutaneous and intramuscular injections, intravenous and intraosseous injections, and intranasal and intradermal deliveries. It goes on to explain why staying informed on current recommendations is critical for EMS medication delivery success.

The lessons covered are

• Lesson 1: Drug Administration
• Lesson 2: Enteral Administration of Medications
• Lesson 3: Parenteral Administration of Medications
• Lesson 4: Intranasal Delivery of Medications

Excerpt from Paramedic Recert EMS Care | 23-MCIT-F3-4128 | Provider Hygiene, Safety, and Vaccinations

Intramuscular (IM) injections are given by penetrating a needle through the dermis and subcutaneous tissue and into the muscle layer. Compared to the subcutaneous route, this method allows for a larger dose of medication (up to 5 ml). It is also important to choose the right site for injection since deep injections can damage nerves. Common anatomic sites or IM injections for adults and children include the following:

• Vastus lateralis muscle – the large muscle on the lateral side of the thigh.
• Rectus femoris muscle – the large muscle on the anterior side of the thigh.
• Gluteal area – the buttocks, specifically the upper lateral aspect of either side. You should use the upper outer quadrant to avoid the sciatic nerve when injecting into the gluteal area.
• Deltoid muscle – the muscle of the upper arm that covers the prominence of the shoulder. The site for injection is approximately 1½ to 2 inches (4 cm to 5 cm) below the acromion process on the lateral side

The type of needle used depends on four factors:

• The site of the injection
• The condition of the tissue
• The size of the patient, and
• The type of drug to be injected (i.e., small-lumen needles are used for thin solutions, and larger-lumen needles are used for suspensions and oils)