Does drawing up technique influence patients' perception of pain at the injection site?
Traditionally nurses have used one of two drawing up techniques for the administration of intramuscular (i.m.) injections. In the first, the injectable is drawn up using one needle, which is then discarded before administration using a new needle. Alternatively, the injectable is drawn up and administered without changing the needle. Advocates of the two-needle technique suggest that this method reduces pain at the injection site. In the present study, 70 subjects completed an independently validated pain scale following administration of an i.m. depot neuroleptic. The conclusion, that there is a significant reduction in injection site pain, using the two-needle technique, is not supported by the data obtained in this study.
Rock
D
D
Centre for Clinical Research in Neuropsychiatry, Graylands Hospital, John XXIII Ave, Mount Claremont, WA 6010, Australia. Daniel.Rock@health.wa.gov.au
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D008297:Male; D009339:Needles / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D010147:Pain Measurement
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations