Comprehensive Nursing Pharmacology Q 35

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Which of the following muscles is a possible site for IM injections?

  

     A. Outer aspect of the hip.

     B. Shoulder.

     C. Vastus gluteus.

     D. Vastus lateralis.

    

    

Correct Answer: D. Vastus lateralis.

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Possible injection sites for IM administration include ventrogluteal, deltoid, dorsogluteal, vastus lateralis, and rectus femoris. The thigh may be used when the other sites aren’t available or if the client needs to administer the medication on his own. Divide the upper thigh into three equal parts. Locate the middle of these three sections. The injection should go into the outer top portion of this section.

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Option A: The ventrogluteal muscle is the safest site for adults and children older than 7 months. It’s deep and not close to any major blood vessels and nerves. This site is difficult for self-injection and may require the help of a friend, family member, or caregiver.

Option B: The deltoid muscle is the site most typically used for vaccines. However, this site is not common for self-injection, because its small muscle mass limits the volume of medication that can be injected — typically no more than 1 milliliter.

Option C: The dorsogluteal muscle of the buttocks was the site most commonly selected by healthcare providers for many years. However, due to the potential for injury to

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