Intramuscular injections can cause which complication?

• A. Pneumothorax
• B. Hyperglycemia
• C. Hyperkalemia
• D. Bleeding

Answer: (D)

When a medication is injected into muscle, the needle passes through tissue that is highly vascular. This makes bleeding at the injection site a common immediate complication, as small blood vessels can be injured during placement or withdrawal. The risk is higher in people with bleeding disorders or those taking anticoagulants, and it can be minimized by using proper technique, selecting an appropriate site, and applying firm pressure after removing the needle to stop any bleeding and limit bruising.

Pneumothorax isn’t a typical risk for standard intramuscular injections, because the chest structures that could lead to a pneumothorax are not involved in routine IM administration. Hyperglycemia and hyperkalemia are not direct, common outcomes of IM injections, although certain medications could influence glucose or potassium levels in specific contexts.