confusion about IM injection

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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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