An adult client needs a deep intramuscular injection of an irritant medication. Click the safest preferred gluteal site.
Hot Spot
Choose your responses, then check the answer.
Explanation
Ventrogluteal is the best answer. The ventrogluteal site is preferred because it is away from the sciatic nerve and major vessels. Other marked areas do not best match the cue in this item.
Quick answer Ventrogluteal is the best answer. The ventrogluteal site is preferred because it is away from the sciatic nerve and major vessels. Other marked areas do not best match the cue in this item.
Why this is correct A safe intramuscular site is chosen by age, available muscle mass, medication characteristics, and nearby nerves or vessels. The anatomical landmark in the image must fit the client described in the stem.
Easy analogy or mental picture Use a three-part body map: the anterolateral thigh provides a large infant muscle, the ventrogluteal hip avoids major posterior structures, and the deltoid is the usual adult vaccine site when muscle mass is adequate.
Memory hook For a deep adult gluteal injection, select the ventrogluteal hip rather than the posterior buttock.
NCLEX decision rule When selecting an IM site, first identify age and purpose, then locate the recommended muscle and confirm its landmarks before injection.
Why the other choices are wrong The other marked muscles can be injection sites in different circumstances, but they do not best satisfy this client-specific age, medication, or safety cue.
References
[1]
CDC: Vaccine administration and intramuscular injection sites
Clinical situationAn adult client needs a deep intramuscular injection of an irritant medication.
What the nurse should noticeVentrogluteal is the best answer. The ventrogluteal site is preferred because it is away from the sciatic nerve and major vessels. Other marked areas do not best match the cue in this item.
Transfer to practiceWhen selecting an IM site, first identify age and purpose, then locate the recommended muscle and confirm its landmarks before injection.
Ventrogluteal site — Safe hip IM site.
Ventrogluteal landmark — A hip injection site identified with the greater trochanter and iliac landmarks.
Irritant medication — Drug that can injure tissue.