What should the nurse do after administering an IM injection to ensure safety?

After administering an intramuscular (IM) injection, ensuring the safety of the procedure is crucial, and correctly disposing of the needle is a vital step in this process. Proper disposal minimizes the risk of needle-stick injuries, which can pose serious health risks to both the patient and healthcare personnel. Using appropriate sharps containers prevents contamination and ensures that hazardous waste is handled safely.

While other actions may be important in their own right, such as checking for adverse reactions or assessing the patient's comfort, they do not directly address the immediate safety concern posed by handling used needles. Disposing of the needle properly protects everyone in the healthcare environment from potential injuries and complies with standard safety protocols. This procedural step reflects best practices in infection control and patient safety, emphasizing the importance of handling sharps with care.