ATI PN Maternity
ATI PN Maternity ( 62 Questions)
A nurse is preparing to administer vitamin K IM to a newborn. Into which of the following muscles should the nurse inject the medication?
The nurse should not inject vitamin K IM into the deltoid muscle. The deltoid muscle is located in the upper arm and is not recommended for IM injections in newborns due to its small size and proximity to the brachial plexus, which could potentially cause nerve damage or injury.
The nurse should not inject vitamin K IM into the dorsogluteal muscle. The dorsogluteal muscle is located in the buttocks and is not recommended for IM injections in newborns because it is difficult to accurately locate and has a higher risk of hitting the sciatic nerve or the superior gluteal artery.
The nurse should administer vitamin K IM into the ventrogluteal muscle. This site is considered the preferred site for IM injections in newborns. It is located on the lateral aspect of the hip, away from major nerves and blood vessels, reducing the risk of complications. Additionally, the ventrogluteal muscle has a thicker muscle mass, making it suitable for the administration of medications.
The nurse should not inject vitamin K IM into the vastus lateralis muscle. While the vastus lateralis muscle, located in the thigh, is often used for IM injections in infants, the ventrogluteal site is preferred because it provides a larger muscle mass and is further away from important structures, reducing the risk of injury.
Choice A rationale:
The nurse should not inject vitamin K IM into the deltoid muscle. The deltoid muscle is located in the upper arm and is not recommended for IM injections in newborns due to its small size and proximity to the brachial plexus, which could potentially cause nerve damage or injury.
Choice B rationale:
The nurse should not inject vitamin K IM into the dorsogluteal muscle. The dorsogluteal muscle is located in the buttocks and is not recommended for IM injections in newborns because it is difficult to accurately locate and has a higher risk of hitting the sciatic nerve or the superior gluteal artery.
Choice C rationale:
The nurse should administer vitamin K IM into the ventrogluteal muscle. This site is considered the preferred site for IM injections in newborns. It is located on the lateral aspect of the hip, away from major nerves and blood vessels, reducing the risk of complications. Additionally, the ventrogluteal muscle has a thicker muscle mass, making it suitable for the administration of medications.
Choice D rationale:
The nurse should not inject vitamin K IM into the vastus lateralis muscle. While the vastus lateralis muscle, located in the thigh, is often used for IM injections in infants, the ventrogluteal site is preferred because it provides a larger muscle mass and is further away from important structures, reducing the risk of injury.