Mr. Johnson came by the office for his annual flu shot. Nathan the medical assistant notices that the patient has lost a substantial amount of weight since his last visit, and decides to use a 5/8 inch needle to administer the injection. He bunches the skin and injects the medication at a 45 degree angle, does not aspirate, and does not massage the injection site.

1. Why would Nathan feel it important to use the smaller needle?

2. Which route of administration was used?

3. Which route of administration should have been used?

4. Was the medication injected into the muscle?

5. Discuss the importance of using the correct route of administrations as well as correct procedure in administering medications.