Final answer:
For children aged 1 year and younger, the anterolateral thigh muscle is the preferred site for parenteral medications. Rotate injection sites to avoid muscle damage, and do not use sites with underlying nerves, blood vessels, or insufficient muscle mass.
Step-by-step explanation:
When administering parenteral medications to children aged 1 year and younger, the anterolateral thigh muscle is the preferred injection site. It is crucial to avoid using sites with underlying nerves and blood vessels, as well as those with insufficient muscle mass.
For infants, the anterolateral aspects of the thigh provide the largest muscle mass, which is especially important when delivering vaccines or medications that require intramuscular injection. The vastus lateralis muscle, in particular, is often recommended for these injections. Selecting an appropriate site minimizes the chance of complications and ensures the maximum absorption of the medication.
It is essential to rotate injection sites if multiple injections are required over a period of time to prevent muscle damage and scarring. Avoid the dorsogluteal site in infants due to the risk of injury to the sciatic nerve and inadequate muscle mass for proper absorption of the medication.