Injection Site – Flashcards

the deltoid muscle is found on the lateral aspect of the upper arm. The upper landmark for the deltoid site is located by the nurse placing four fingers across the deltoid muscle with the first finger on the acromion process. The top of the axilla is the line that marks the lower border landmark. A triangle within theses boundaries indicates the deltoid muscles about 5 cm below the accordion process.

into a bone

the vastus lateralis muscle is usually thick and well developed in both adults and children. It is recommended as the site for choice for intramuscular injections for infants 1 year and younger. It is situated on the anterior lateral aspect of the infant's thigh, the middle third of the muscle is suggested as the site. In that adult, the landmark is established by dividing the area between the greater trochanter of the femur and the lateral femoral condyle into thirds and selecting the middle third.

The rectus femurs muscle, which belongs to the quadriceps muscle group, is used only occasionally for intramuscular injections. It is situated on the anterior aspect of the thigh.

the dorsogluteal site was primarily used for intramuscular injections. However, this site is close to the sciatic nerve and the superior gluteal nerve and artery. As a result complications (numbness, pain, paralysis) occurred if the nurse injected a medication near or into the sciatic nerve.

the safest site of choice for an IM injection of more than 1 mL in clients older than 7 months. It provides the greatest thickness of gluteal muscle and is free of penetrating nerves. The client position for the injection can be a back, prone, or side-lying position. Side lying helps locate the ventrogluteal site more easily.

allows slower absorption of a medication compared with either the intramuscular or IV route.