All of the following are recommended sites for intramuscular injections in adults, EXCEPT:

Appeared in: BTSC Staff Nurse 31 July-2025

Explanation

The dorsogluteal site is no longer recommended for IM injections due to significant safety risks.
This site is in close proximity to the sciatic nerve and superior gluteal artery.
An injection at this site can lead to severe pain, temporary or permanent paralysis from sciatic nerve damage, and hemorrhage if the artery is hit.
Evidence-based practice has led to the adoption of safer alternative sites for IM injections.

Option A: The deltoid muscle is a recommended site for IM injections in adults, particularly for small medication volumes.
Option C: The ventrogluteal site is not only recommended but is considered the safest and preferred IM injection site for adults.
Option D: The vastus lateralis muscle is a recommended and commonly used site for IM injections in adults.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Safe and contraindicated sites for intramuscular (IM) injections as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Patient safety is paramount; choosing the correct IM site prevents debilitating and permanent injuries like paralysis from sciatic nerve damage.
This topic highlights the importance of evidence-based practice. Nursing procedures change based on research that identifies safer methods, such as abandoning the dorsogluteal site.
What if? If the patient were an infant (less than 12 months old), the vastus lateralis would be the only recommended site, as their deltoid and gluteal muscles are not yet sufficiently developed for safe injection.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core subject of the question, which is recommended sites for IM injections.
Pay close attention to the negative keyword 'EXCEPT'. This means you are looking for the one option that is NOT recommended.
Systematically review each option, recalling the safety profile of each injection site.
The deltoid, ventrogluteal, and vastus lateralis are all standard, safe sites for adults.
The dorsogluteal site is widely known in modern nursing to be contraindicated due to the high risk of sciatic nerve injury.
Therefore, the dorsogluteal site is the correct 'exception'.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Safe and contraindicated sites for intramuscular (IM) injections
Stem keywords: intramuscular injections, adults, recommended sites
Lead-in keywords: EXCEPT
Negative lead-in flag: The question asks for the option that is NOT a recommended site.

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 861-863

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 3 p. 174-176

Practise the full BTSC Staff Nurse 31 July-2025

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