Fundamentals of Nursing Q 358
The appropriate needle gauge for intradermal injection is:
A. 20G
B. 22G
C. 25G
D. 26G
Correct Answer: D. 26G
Because an intradermal injection does not penetrate deeply into the skin, a small-bore 26G-27G needle is recommended. This type of injection is used primarily to administer antigens to evaluate reactions for allergy or sensitivity studies. Equipment used for ID injections is a tuberculin syringe calibrated in tenths and hundredths of a millilitre, and a 1/4 to 1/2 in., 26 or 27 gauge needle. The dosage of an ID injection is usually under 0.5 ml. The angle of administration for an ID injection is 5 to 15 degrees.
Option A: A 20G needle is usually used for I.M. injections of oil-based medications. Intramuscular injections are administered at a 90-degree angle to the skin, preferably into the anterolateral aspect of the thigh or the deltoid muscle of the upper arm, depending on the age of the patient. The needle gauge for intramuscular injection is 22-25 gauge.
Option B: A 22G-25G needle for I.M. injections. A decision on needle length and site of injection must be made for each person on the basis of the size of the muscle, the thickness of adipose tissue at the injection site, the volume of the material to be administered, injection technique, and the depth below the muscle surface into which the material is to be injected
Option C: A 25G needle, for subcutaneous insulin injections. Choosing the right size needle and syringe is necessary to get the correct dose of medicine, inject it properly, and minimize pain. To make it easier, these items are sold separately and designed to attach securely. Subcutaneous injections go into the fatty tissue just below the skin. Since these are relatively shallow shots, the needle required is small and short—typically one-half to five-eighths of an inch long with a gauge of 25 to 30.