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A primary health care provider prescribed a medication that must be administered via the intramuscular route. Which site should the nurse eliminate from consideration because it has the highest potential for injury when administering an intramuscular injection?

a. Vastus lateralis
b. Rectus femoris
c. Ventrogluteal
d. Dorsogluteal

1 Answer

5 votes

Final Answer:

The nurse should eliminate option Dorsogluteal, from consideration as it has the highest potential for injury when administering an intramuscular injection, thus the correct option is d, Dorsogluteal

Step-by-step explanation:

The dorsogluteal site, located in the upper outer quadrant of the buttock, has been associated with a higher risk of injury during intramuscular injections.

This site is in proximity to the sciatic nerve and the superior gluteal artery, increasing the risk of nerve damage or accidental injection into a blood vessel. In contrast, the ventrogluteal site (option c) is considered safer due to its location away from major nerves and blood vessels.

Choosing the dorsogluteal site for injections has been discouraged in modern nursing practice to minimize the potential for complications. Injection into or near the sciatic nerve can lead to severe pain and impaired mobility for the patient.

Opting for alternative sites, such as the ventrogluteal or vastus lateralis, reduces the risk of nerve and vascular injuries, promoting patient safety and ensuring effective administration of the prescribed medication.

In summary, the elimination of the dorsogluteal site is grounded in the prioritization of patient safety.

Nurses are encouraged to be mindful of anatomical considerations to minimize the potential for adverse effects and optimize the therapeutic outcomes of intramuscular injections.

The nurse should eliminate option Dorsogluteal, from consideration as it has the highest potential for injury when administering an intramuscular injection, thus the correct option is d. Dorsogluteal

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