If a nurse needs to administer 3 mL of medication intramuscularly to an adult patient, which site should be used for the injection?
Dorsal gluteal
Deltoid
Vastus lateralis
Lateral piriformis
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale:
The dorsal gluteal site, also known as the dorsogluteal site, was once a common choice for intramuscular injections. However, it has fallen out of favor due to several concerns, including:
Risk of sciatic nerve injury: The sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body, runs deep within the gluteal region. Injections into the dorsal gluteal site have a higher risk of accidentally hitting this nerve, which can lead to pain, numbness, and weakness in the leg.
Difficulty in landmarking: Accurately locating the dorsal gluteal site can be challenging, especially in patients with excessive adipose tissue or those who are unable to position themselves properly. Incorrect injection placement can increase the risk of tissue damage and poor drug absorption.
Pain: The dorsal gluteal site is often more painful than other intramuscular injection sites, likely due to the presence of more nerve endings in the area.
Choice B rationale:
The deltoid muscle, located in the upper arm, is a common site for intramuscular injections, particularly for vaccines. However, it has limitations when it comes to administering larger volumes of medication:
Small muscle mass: The deltoid is a relatively small muscle, limiting the amount of medication that can be safely injected. It's generally recommended to inject no more than 1-2 mL of medication into the deltoid muscle.
Proximity to nerves and blood vessels: The deltoid muscle is located near the radial nerve and brachial artery. Improper injection technique could potentially injure these structures.
Choice C rationale:
The vastus lateralis muscle, located in the anterolateral aspect of the thigh, is considered the preferred site for intramuscular injections in adults when the volume of medication exceeds 2 mL. Here's why:
Large muscle mass: The vastus lateralis is a large, thick muscle, capable of accommodating larger volumes of medication (up to 5 mL).
Easy to access: The vastus lateralis is easily accessible and can be injected with the patient in a sitting or lying position.
Fewer nerves and blood vessels: The vastus lateralis has fewer major nerves and blood vessels compared to other injection sites, reducing the risk of injury.
Pain tolerance: Studies have shown that injections into the vastus lateralis are generally less painful than injections into the deltoid or gluteal muscles.
Choice D rationale:
The lateral piriformis muscle is not a recognized or recommended site for intramuscular injections. It's a deep muscle located within the pelvic region, making it difficult to access and posing a higher risk of injury to surrounding structures.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Directly addresses the primary goal of preventing perioperative positioning injury: The absence of redness or breakdown in the skin is the most definitive indicator that the patient has not sustained any skin or tissue damage as a result of prolonged immobilization during surgery.
Focuses on the patient outcome, not just interventions: While interventions such as padding bony prominences and assessing skin prior to surgery are important, they are means to achieve the ultimate goal of preventing skin injury. This outcome statement directly measures the success of those interventions.
Aligns with best practices for pressure injury prevention: The National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP) and other expert organizations emphasize the importance of setting goals that focus on maintaining skin integrity and preventing injury.
Choice B rationale:
Addresses a crucial aspect of patient care, but not directly related to positioning injury: Maintaining privacy and dignity is essential for all patients, but it does not specifically address the risk of skin breakdown from prolonged immobilization.
Not a measurable outcome for positioning injury: It is difficult to objectively assess whether a patient's privacy and dignity have been maintained, making it less suitable as an outcome statement for this particular diagnosis.
Choice C rationale:
Describes an important intervention, but not a patient outcome: Padding bony prominences is a key strategy to reduce pressure and prevent skin injury. However, it is an action taken by the nurse, not a measurable outcome that reflects the patient's status.
Does not guarantee prevention of injury: Even with appropriate padding, patients can still develop pressure injuries if other risk factors are present or if repositioning is not performed adequately.
Choice D rationale:
Represents an essential assessment step, but not a final outcome: Assessing the skin prior to surgery is important for identifying areas that are at increased risk of breakdown. However, it is a preliminary step in the prevention process, not the ultimate goal.
Does not ensure prevention of injury: Identifying at-risk areas is helpful for targeting interventions, but it does not guarantee that skin breakdown will not occur.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Stage 2 pressure injuries are characterized by partial-thickness loss of skin layers involving the epidermis and/or dermis. They present as a red, blistered area, often with an intact or ruptured serum-filled blister. The wound bed is typically moist and may be painful. There is no exposure of underlying bone, tendon, or muscle.
Key features of Stage 2 pressure injuries that align with the patient's presentation:
Red, blistered area: This is a hallmark sign of Stage 2, indicating tissue damage and inflammation in the epidermis and dermis. Large size: The size of the wound suggests more extensive tissue damage, consistent with Stage 2 rather than Stage 1.
Absence of deeper tissue involvement: The absence of exposed bone, tendon, or muscle rules out Stage 3 or 4 pressure injuries.
Rationales for other choices:
Choice B: Stage 4
Stage 4 pressure injuries involve full-thickness tissue loss with exposed bone, tendon, or muscle. This is not consistent with the patient's presentation, which does not describe exposed deeper tissues.
Choice C: Stage 3
Stage 3 pressure injuries involve full-thickness tissue loss, but without exposed bone, tendon, or muscle. They often present with a deep crater-like appearance and may have undermining or tunneling. The patient's wound does not exhibit these features, making Stage 3 less likely.
Choice D: Stage 1
Stage 1 pressure injuries are characterized by intact skin with non-blanchable redness over a bony prominence. They do not involve blisters or open wounds. The patient's presentation clearly exceeds the features of Stage 1.
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