A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection of Benzathine Penicillin G to an adult patient. What are the recommended needle gauge and length?

Appeared in: NORCET-11 Prelims

Explanation

Benzathine Penicillin G is a thick, viscous suspension requiring a large-bore needle.
18 to 20 gauge needles are recommended for viscous IM medications in adults.
A length of 1.5 to 2 inches ensures deep muscle penetration, especially in adults.
Proper needle selection prevents subcutaneous deposition and local complications.
The ventrogluteal site is preferred for deep IM injections in adults.

Option B: 23 to 25 gauge needles are too fine for thick, viscous medications like Benzathine Penicillin G. The length of 5/8 to 1 inch is also insufficient to reach deep muscle in most adults.
Close distractor alert - Option C: 18 gauge is correct for viscosity, but a 1-inch needle is too short for deep IM injection in most adults, risking subcutaneous deposition.
Option D: 26 gauge needles are too fine and 5/8 to 1/2 inch is too short for IM injections, especially for viscous medications.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Needle gauge and length selection for IM injection of viscous medication in adults to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
Using the correct needle size prevents complications such as abscess, tissue irritation, and incomplete medication delivery.
Nurses must assess patient size and medication viscosity before selecting needle gauge and length.
What if? If a shorter or finer needle is used, the medication may not reach the muscle, leading to treatment failure and local tissue reactions.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the medication and its properties (viscous, thick suspension).
Recall standard IM injection practices for adults, especially for viscous drugs.
Eliminate options that are too short or too fine for deep IM delivery.
Choose the option that matches both the required gauge (18 to 20) and length (1.5 to 2 inches) for safe and effective administration.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Needle gauge and length selection for IM injection of viscous medication in adults
Stem keywords: intramuscular injection, Benzathine Penicillin G, adult patient, needle gauge, needle length
Lead-in keywords: recommended
Clinical cues: viscous medication
Clinical cues: adult muscle mass

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 3 p. 173-175

Practise the full NORCET-11 Prelims

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.