Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (CPNRE) 2026 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Intradermal injections require a needle that is thin enough to allow for precise placement into the dermis layer of the skin without penetrating too deeply. A gauge range of 27-30 is appropriate for this purpose, as it provides the necessary fineness to create a small bleb on the skin's surface, which is critical for the effectiveness of the injection. The smaller the gauge number, the thicker the needle, meaning a larger gauge (27-30) allows for a fine needle that minimizes patient discomfort while still delivering the medication or antigen effectively.

Using a very thick needle, such as one in the 18-20 gauge range, would be inappropriate because it could cause unnecessary pain and damage to the skin tissue during the injection. Similarly, gauges in the 21-23 range may also be too large, increasing the risk of complications. A 25-27 gauge needle may be used in some cases, but the upper range of 27-30 is more standard for intradermal injections, especially in contexts such as skin tests or allergy testing, where precision is key.