Question

Which action should the nurse take to relax the vastus lateralis muscle before administering an intramuscular injection into the site?

1) Apply a warm compress.
2) Massage the site in a circular motion.
3) Apply a soothing lotion.
4) Have the client assume a sitting position.

Answer 1

The nurse should have the client assume a sitting position to relax the vastus lateralis muscle before administering an intramuscular injection, as this helps in muscle relaxation and eases the injection process.

Step-by-step explanation:

To relax the vastus lateralis muscle before administering an intramuscular injection into the site, the nurse should have the client assume a sitting position. This action can help relax the quadricep muscles and make the injection less painful. It's important that the site is not massaged before the injection to avoid tissue damage, and while applying a warm compress might also relax muscles, it's not a common practice before injections. Applying a soothing lotion is not recommended as it could potentially interfere with the cleanliness of the injection site. The vastus lateralis is the quadricep muscle located on the lateral aspect of the thigh and is a common site for administering injections because of its thickness and minimal major nerve involvement.