What should pharmacists tell patients to do prior to an intramuscular injection?

For an intramuscular injection, it is important for patients to relax the muscle at the injection site. When a muscle is tense or contracted, it can create resistance that makes the injection more painful and may also hinder the proper delivery of the medication into the muscle. Relaxed muscles allow for smoother needle insertion and better absorption of the medication.

By encouraging patients to relax, pharmacists help to ensure that the injection is administered effectively and comfortably. This approach reduces anxiety for patients and can lead to a more positive experience during the injection process. Relaxed muscles also maintain the integrity of the tissue and can help minimize the risk of complications, such as bleeding or bruising.

While flexing or tightening the muscle may seem counterintuitive for the injection process, these actions do not support the effective administration or patient comfort. Applying pressure to the site is often used post-injection to minimize bleeding or enhance medication distribution but is not a recommended action prior to the injection itself.