NHA Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)Clinical Patient CareMedium
A medical assistant is preparing to administer an intradermal injection to a patient for allergy testing. At what angle should the MA insert the needle?
- A25-degree angle
- B45-degree angle
- C10 to 15-degree angle
- D90-degree angle
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. 10 to 15-degree angle
Intradermal injections are administered into the dermis, just below the epidermis. A very shallow angle of 10 to 15 degrees is crucial to ensure the medication is deposited correctly within this layer, creating a wheal.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. A 25-degree angle is not a standard angle for common injection types; it's too steep for intradermal and too shallow for SQ.
- B. A 45-degree angle is typically used for subcutaneous (SQ) injections, which go into the fatty tissue below the dermis.
- D. A 90-degree angle is used for intramuscular (IM) injections, which go much deeper into muscle tissue.
Intradermal Injection Angle
The specific angle at which a needle is inserted into the skin for an intradermal injection, targeting the dermis layer.
- Angle: 10 to 15 degrees.
- Target: Dermis layer.
- Desired outcome: Formation of a wheal.
Memory trick: Intradermal is 'In-the-Dermis', so think 'tiny tilt', just 10-15.