In which of the following route vitamin K needs to be administered soon after birth?

Tripura CHO - 2021

Child Health Nursing (Pediatrics)

Easy

Appeared in: Tripura CHO - 2021

Explanation

The standard and recommended route for administering Vitamin K to newborns is intramuscular (IM).
This route ensures rapid and reliable absorption, providing a depot effect that protects the infant against Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB).
Newborns have low Vitamin K stores and cannot produce it initially, making them susceptible to bleeding disorders. The IM injection is the most effective preventative measure.
The American Academy of Pediatrics and other global health organizations universally recommend a single IM dose of vitamin K for all newborns.

Option A: Oral administration is less effective due to variable absorption and the need for multiple doses, which increases the risk of non-compliance and treatment failure.
Option B: The intradermal route administers a very small volume of substance into the dermis and is used for sensitivity tests (like the tuberculin skin test) or certain vaccines (like BCG), not for systemic medication delivery like Vitamin K.
Option C: While some medications are given subcutaneously, the absorption of Vitamin K via this route is slower and less reliable compared to the intramuscular route for prophylactic purposes in newborns.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Route of administration for neonatal Vitamin K prophylaxis as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Administering Vitamin K via the correct IM route is a critical nursing intervention to prevent Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB), a potentially fatal bleeding disorder in infants.
Nurses are responsible for educating parents about the importance of the Vitamin K shot, obtaining informed consent, and administering it safely and correctly.
What if? If a parent refuses the IM injection, the nurse must document the refusal, notify the physician, and educate the parents on the signs of bleeding to watch for (e.g., bruising, bleeding from the umbilicus or nose, pale skin). An oral formulation may be offered as a less effective alternative, which requires a strict multi-dose schedule.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key elements of the question: 'Vitamin K', 'newborn', and 'route of administration'.
This is a factual recall question based on standard neonatal care protocols.
Recall the primary reason for giving Vitamin K to newborns: to prevent bleeding (VKDB) due to their inability to produce it.
Consider the need for a reliable and effective method. Evaluate the four routes based on absorption speed and consistency.
Intramuscular (IM) injection provides rapid, reliable absorption and a depot effect, making it the most effective choice.
Eliminate the other options: Oral is less reliable, intradermal is for testing, and subcutaneous offers slower absorption.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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