Question

A nurse is preparing to give an intramuscular injection at the ventrogluteal site. Which of the following needle lengths should the nurse select for an adult of average size?

1) 1 inch
2) 1.5 inches
3) 2 inches
4) 2.5 inches

Answer 1

For an adult of average size, the recommended needle length for an intramuscular injection at the ventrogluteal site is 1.5 inches to ensure medication is properly delivered into the muscle tissue.

Step-by-step explanation:

When selecting a needle length for an intramuscular injection at the ventrogluteal site for an adult of average size, a 1.5-inch needle is typically recommended. The length of the needle is important to ensure the medication is delivered into the muscle tissue properly. For adults, the ventrogluteal site is preferred due to its lack of major nerves and blood vessels, and the 1.5-inch needle is generally long enough to reach the muscle without hitting bone on average-sized adults.

To achieve accurate dosing and proper administration of an intramuscular injection, the nurse must consider the patient's body type, the viscosity of the medicine, and the depth of the muscle tissue. In general, smaller and shorter needles may be more appropriate for pediatric patients or very thin adults, while longer needles might be required for patients with a larger body mass. selecting the needle length for an intramuscular injection at the ventrogluteal site for an adult of average size is that a 1.5-inch needle should be selected to ensure proper medication delivery into the muscle without reaching the bone.