Question

The nurse is planning to administer a series of vaccines to a 4-year-old child including the DTap, IPV, MMR, and VAR. Before administering the vaccines, what information should the nurse be aware of? Select all that apply.

A
A 5/8 inch needle length is often used for subcutaneous (SubQ) injections Correct Answer (Blank)
B
The vaccines all contain weakened live viruses
C
Either the deltoid muscle of the arm or anterolateral thigh muscle can be used Correct Answer (Blank)
D
A 20 gauge needle is used to administer the varicella (VAR) vaccine intramuscularly (IM)
E
Multiple immunizations should be administered a minimum of 1 inch apart Correct Answer (Blank)
F
The vaccines contain the preservative thimerosal

Answer 1

The nurse should be aware of appropriate needle sizes and gauges, vaccination sites, the nature of the vaccines (live or inactivated), and spacing for multiple immunizations when administering DTap, IPV, MMR, and VAR vaccines to a child.

Step-by-step explanation:

Before administering vaccines such as DTap, IPV, MMR, and VAR to a 4-year-old child, a nurse should be aware of several important factors. These include: understanding needle length and gauge appropriate for the age and size of the child, being aware of the type of vaccine (live attenuated or inactivated), proper sites for injection, and spacing requirements for multiple immunizations. Specifically:

• A 5/8 inch needle length is often used for subcutaneous (SubQ) injections, while an intramuscular (IM) injection may require a different length based on the child's size and mass.
• The deltoid muscle of the arm or the anterolateral thigh muscle can be used for vaccine administration in small children.
• Multiple immunizations should be administered a minimum of 1 inch apart to prevent cross-contamination and reduce discomfort.

Additionally, not all vaccines contain the preservative thimerosal; this varies by vaccine and manufacturer. Also, the claim that all vaccines contain weakened live viruses is not accurate - some vaccines, such as IPV, contain inactivated virus components.