How do you give a testosterone shot in the shoulder?

To administer a testosterone shot into the shoulder, you must follow a specific procedure to ensure safety and effectiveness. The following steps outline how to do it, incorporating guidance from the provided reference material:

Step-by-Step Guide to Administering a Testosterone Shot in the Shoulder

Here’s a detailed guide, based on best practices, on how to administer a testosterone injection into the deltoid muscle of the shoulder:

1. Preparation:

   • Gather all necessary supplies: testosterone medication, a syringe with the correct needle size, alcohol swabs, and a sharps disposal container.
   • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
   • Clean the vial of testosterone medication with an alcohol swab.
   • Draw up the correct dose of testosterone into the syringe.

2. Choosing the Injection Site:

   • Identify the deltoid muscle, which is the rounded area of your shoulder. You should inject into the thickest part of the muscle, about 1-2 inches below the bony part of your shoulder.

3. Preparing the Injection Site:

   • Clean the injection site with an alcohol swab using a circular motion, and let it air dry.

4. Administering the Injection:

   • Hold the skin taut at the injection site between your thumb and forefinger. This helps make inserting the needle easier. (Reference: Video on administering LAI into the deltoid muscle)
   • Insert the needle straight into the muscle at a 90-degree angle using a quick, smooth motion.
   • Aspirate the injection: Once the needle is in, hold the syringe steady, then gently pull back on the plunger slightly to check for blood in the syringe. If you see blood, remove the needle, discard the syringe, and select a new injection site. If you don’t see blood proceed to inject the medication. (Reference: Video on administering LAI into the deltoid muscle).
   • Slowly and steadily inject the medication using the plunger.
   • Once all the medication has been injected, withdraw the needle quickly at the same angle you inserted it.

5. Post-Injection:

   • Gently press a clean cotton ball or gauze pad on the injection site for a few seconds.
   • Dispose of the needle and syringe immediately in a sharps container.
   • Do not massage the injection site after giving the shot.

Important Safety Considerations:

• Always use sterile needles and syringes.
• Follow the dosage and administration instructions given by your doctor.
• If you are unsure of how to do this, seek help from a healthcare professional.
• Rotate injection sites to avoid tissue damage.