Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin that is plays an important role in the production of red blood cells, or erythrocytes, and other body mechanisms. The National Institutes of Health notes that vitamin B12 also functions in fat and protein metabolism, energy production and nerve health. This vitamin is water soluble and is not stored in the body, hence it must be obtained regularly through the diet in foods such as whole grains, brown rice and leafy green vegetables. Individuals with vitamin B12 deficiencies may require supplements or B12 injections. Poor nutrition or diseases such as pernicious anemia, irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn's disease can cause low levels of vitamin B12. In some cases, this vitamin is not adequately absorbed by the body because of low levels of a chemical called intrinsic factor in the stomach. Intramuscular injections of B12 are usually given in a doctor's clinic, though they can also be given at home.
Step 1
Wash your hands with disinfecting soap and water and put on a new pair of protective latex gloves. Arrange all the items needed for the injection on a counter or tray next to the patient. Open the packaging of the syringe and remove the protective cap from the needle.
Step 2
Ask the patient to roll up his or her sleeve so that the upper arm is exposed just below the shoulder. Cleanse the top of the vitamin B12 vial with a gauze pad and rubbing alcohol. Insert the needle through the rubber top of the vial and turn the vial upside down. Pull back the plunger of the syringe to draw the B12 solution into the syringe until the correct dose is reached. Keep the needle in the vial and remove any air bubbles in the syringe by pressing down on the plunger slightly so that a small amount of solution is pushed back into the vial.
Step 3
Locate the area on the outer portion of the patient's upper arm below the shoulder where the muscle curves inward slightly. Disinfect the skin in this area in a circular motion with rubbing alcohol making sure to start from the the inner area and cleansing outward.
Step 4
Remove the protective cap from the needle and pick it up while placing your thumb on top of the plunger. Pinch the muscle of the patients upper arm with the thumb and forefinger of your other hand, so that the injection site is raised.
Step 5
Insert the needle deep into the muscle at a 45-degree angle. Pull the plunger back slightly to ensure you are not in a blood vessel; that is, blood is not drawn up. If the needle is in an appropriate area, push the plunger all the way down with your thumb so that all the vitamin B12 is injected into the muscle. Pull the needle out and immediately place the safety cap on it. Dispose of the used needle and syringe in a medical waste box. Place a Band-Aid over the patient's injection site. Record the vitamin B12 vial number and date given in the patient's chart or home records.
Tips and Warnings
- The best place to give a B12 injection is in the upper arm in the outer area where the deltoid muscle meets the bicep muscle. An intramuscular injection should be given deep in the muscle; it is important to push the needle deep into the arm. Use a new needle for each vitamin B12 injection and dispose of the needle in a safe manner.
- A vitamin B12 injection can also be given in the gluteus maximus muscle of the buttocks. However, it should be inserted at the top of the muscle and not in the middle, to avoid mistakenly damaging the sciatic nerve that runs through this muscle.
Things You'll Need
- Prescription
- Vial of vitamin B12
- Syringe and Needle
- Hand Sanitizer Soap
- Latex Gloves
- Cotton Gauze
- Rubbing Alcohol
- Band-Aid
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