Health Promotion and Maintenance
28. A nursing student is preparing to administer an injection of vitamin K, 1 mg IM, to a newborn. The student asks a nurse, "Where should I give the injection?" Which is the most accurate response by the nurse?
Health Promotion and Maintenance
28. A nursing student is preparing to administer an injection of vitamin K, 1 mg IM, to a newborn. The student asks a nurse, "Where should I give the injection?" Which is the most accurate response by the nurse?
Test-Taking Tip
Eliminate the gluteal muscles; they are never a correct injection site for an infant. Then picture the infant's thigh and the muscles that make up the thigh to choose the correct injection site.
Content Area: Child Health, Newborn; Integrated Process: Nursing Process, Implementation; Cognitive Level: Application; Client Need/Subneed: Physiological Integrity/Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies/Medication Administration
Health Promotion and Maintenance
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Answer 1 is incorrect because the gluteus maximus is never an appropriate injection site for a newborn because nerve damage can occur when performing an injection in this site. Answer 2 is incorrect because the gluteus minimus is never an appropriate injection site for a newborn because nerve damage can occur when performing an injection in this site. Answer 3 is correct because the vastus lateralis is the proper injection site; it is a large muscle and avoids the nerve tracts. Answer 4 is incorrect because the vastus medialis is not an appropriate injection site for a newborn because nerve damage can occur when performing an injection in this site.
