A nurse is administering a shot of Vitamin K to a 30 day-old infant. Which of the following target areas is the most appropriate?
A. Gluteus maximus
B. Gluteus minimus
C. Vastus lateralis
D. Vastus medialis
Correct Answer: C. Vastus lateralis
Medications are injected into the bulkiest part of the vastus lateralis thigh muscle, which is the junction of the upper and middle thirds of this muscle.
Option A: Intramuscular injections given at the dorsogluteal and ventrogluteal sites are intended for the gluteus maximus and gluteus medius muscles, respectively. However, little research has confirmed the reliability of these sites for the presence and thickness of the target and other muscles, and subcutaneous fat.
Option B: Never give an IM injection in the gluteal muscles to avoid the risk of sciatica nerve damage.
Option D: The vastus medialis muscle is a part of the quadriceps muscle group, located on the front of the thigh.