confusion about IM injection

Nursing Students NCLEX

Published

Hi all,

Please solve my confusion.

Best muscle to administer an IM injection in an adult is the deltoid or Vastus lateralis?

In Kaplan it says = vastus lateralis

In Saunder it says= deltiod.

Which on you think the best answer ?

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My answer would be vastus lateralis, less chance of hitting a bone.

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

Depends on how much you are injecting. Deltoid is a small muscle and can only take 1cc. I have never hit a bone when giving an injection in a deltoid; I am guessing since the Vastus lateralus can hold more it would be a better choice?

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Specializes in Med. Surg, physician's office.

FOr IM injections in the deltoid, you use 1 in. long needles, for vastus lateralis you use 1 and 1/2 inch needles. Vastus lateralis has best absorption for both adults and especially infants - Deltoid is used for flu/pneumococcal shots in adults, immunizations for kids :)

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Specializes in Med. Surg, physician's office.

oh and another note - although I absolutely LOVE saunder's for it's asy to review format - I have found quite a few errors, so when you come up with something like that - do what you did and double check!!!

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Thank you guys for your comments. Now I got it.

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I always thought the deltoids was the best place? for an adult!

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