A school nurse is planning an educational program about nutrition for adolescents. Which of the following statements should the nurse include?

A. Outer posterior aspect of upper arm: This site, the deltoid muscle, is appropriate for small-volume IM injections (up to 1 mL). However, it is limited by muscle size and is not preferred for larger volume or more irritating medications.

B. Upper thigh: The vastus lateralis muscle of the anterior thigh is a common IM site, particularly in infants and young children. While suitable, it may be less preferred in adults unless other sites are contraindicated.

C. Abdomen: The abdomen is not used for intramuscular injections; it is a common site for subcutaneous injections, such as insulin or heparin. Administering an IM injection in the abdomen would risk improper absorption and injury.

D. Ventrogluteal: The ventrogluteal site is preferred for intramuscular injections in adults because it is away from major nerves and blood vessels, allows for larger volumes of medication, and has a consistent muscle mass. It minimizes the risk of complications and is considered the safest IM injection site.

A. Instill normal saline drops to nares before meals: Saline drops are used to loosen nasal secretions in conditions like the common cold or bronchiolitis. They do not address epiglottitis and are not a primary intervention for this life-threatening airway condition.

B. Perform chest percussion and postural drainage twice per day: Chest physiotherapy is indicated for conditions with increased pulmonary secretions, such as cystic fibrosis or pneumonia. Epiglottitis primarily affects the upper airway, so these interventions are not appropriate.

C. Initiate droplet precautions: Epiglottitis is often caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b and can be transmitted via respiratory droplets. Implementing droplet precautions protects healthcare workers and other clients from infection while the child receives care.

D. Administer pancreatic enzymes with meals: Pancreatic enzyme replacement is used in conditions like cystic fibrosis to aid digestion. It is unrelated to epiglottitis and does not address the acute respiratory risk posed by airway inflammation.