Risks of Injecting Air: A Nursing Student's Question Answered

Question
I recently heard of a nursing student giving an injection in which she forgot to draw up the medication. Thus, she gave air into the muscle. What kind of problems could this cause?

Answer
Dear Patricia,

It would depend on how much air.  I don't think, if it was an injection, that it would cause any problem.

Now, if we are talking the bloodstream, such as an IV, there can be major problems, although it takes more than a cc or ml to do it.

Blood clots are called "embolisms".  I am sure you have heard of those.  There are actually "air embolisms" that come from injection into the blood stream.  Into muscle, the air would be slowly absorbed.  However, it can cause muscle damage for sure, so you don't want to have it done.

I hope this answered your question.  Please let me know if my answer wasn't satisfactory, or you need anything else.

Best wishes,

Andrea