What Is the Appropriate Needle Length for Different Injections?
Needle length is also an important consideration:
- Intramuscular (IM) Injections: Generally require longer needles (1 to 1.5 inches) to reach the muscle tissue. - Subcutaneous (SC) Injections: Shorter needles (3/8 to 5/8 inch) are used, as the medication is injected into the fatty tissue just below the skin. - Intravenous (IV) Injections: Varying lengths are used depending on vein accessibility, but shorter needles (1 inch) are common.
