When is a subcutaneous injection typically administered?

A subcutaneous injection is typically administered at a 45-degree angle because this angle allows the needle to effectively penetrate the skin and reach the subcutaneous tissue without the risk of injecting the medication directly into the muscle.

Administering the injection at a 45-degree angle provides adequate access to the fatty layer just beneath the epidermis while minimizing discomfort for the patient. The angle is also recommended to ensure that the medication is absorbed properly into the subcutaneous tissue, allowing for the intended therapeutic effect.

Injections given at angles that are too shallow may lead to inadequate absorption, while those at a steeper angle could inadvertently penetrate deeper tissue layers, which is not ideal for medications intended for subcutaneous administration. Therefore, a 45-degree angle is the optimal technique for this type of injection.