Bounce

I volunteered to help out over Christmas break in a clinic that does TB testing and reading for men who need PPD negative clearance to sleep in a shelter. No sweat, I figured. Pretty minimal learning curve. Inject a little PPD under the skin, it makes a tiny bubble, read it a few days later. Easy peasy.

Only when I showed up for my shift I realized it was Thursday. Vaccine day. Not PPD day. Hmmm. Ok, so I really don't know how to give IM injections... but again, I figured... how hard can it be? HepA/B twinrix and the seasonal flu shot. I quickly scanned the IM injection protocol flyer. Ok. Deltoid region. Clean the area and give a little poke. No sweat.

The first guy wanted both Twinrix and the flu shot. I tried to act like I knew exactly what I was doing so I didn't make the patient nervous. The seasonal flu vaccine went right in. "Hmmmph." I thought triumphantly. I am a total pro. I proceeded to inject the Twinrix exactly the same way in his opposite arm. Only this time, I swear to GOD the needle bounced off his arm like a basketball. I was so surprised I didn't know what to say.... so I just pretended like it didn't happen and used a little more force to pierce through this leathery skin. Eventually he made a sucking sound and a "wooo-hee, that hurt". I just shook my head like I completely understood cause it happens all the time and said, "Yeah, those Hep vaccines aren't for babies!"