What should a nurse do first when preparing for an intramuscular injection?

When preparing for an intramuscular injection, the first step a nurse should take is to clean the injection site. This is crucial because it helps to reduce the risk of infection at the site of injection. Maintaining aseptic technique is a fundamental principle in administering any type of injection to ensure that contaminants do not enter the body during the procedure.

Cleaning the injection site typically involves using an alcohol swab or antiseptic wipe to thoroughly disinfect the area where the needle will penetrate the skin. This step is essential before any other preparations are made, such as administering the medication or obtaining consent, as it preempts potential complications related to infection, which can arise from improper hygiene practices.

Once the injection site is cleaned, the nurse can then proceed with other important steps, such as obtaining verbal consent and documenting the medication order, but prioritizing the cleanliness of the injection site is a critical part of the preparation process.