Before giving an intramuscular injection, what should you do to ensure proper technique?

To ensure proper technique when giving an intramuscular injection, pulling back on the plunger to check for blood return is essential. This step confirms that the needle is not in a blood vessel, such as a vein, which could lead to the medication entering the bloodstream too quickly or causing unintended complications. This practice helps promote safe administration by minimizing the risk of intravascular injection and allowing for the medication to perform effectively at the intended site of action within the muscle.

Although other methods like warming the injection site or injecting slowly may have their own benefits, they do not address the critical safety aspect of verifying the needle's placement in the muscle tissue versus a vein. Quickly inserting the needle may cause additional discomfort, and the speed of injection should be appropriately managed to ensure optimal absorption and overall patient comfort.