Which of the following is the preferred site of intramuscular injections in infants?

AIIMS Bhopal NO - 2018 (Shift-1st)

Child Health Nursing (Pediatrics)

Easy

Appeared in: AIIMS Bhopal NO - 2018 (Shift-1st)

Explanation

The vastus lateralis muscle is the recommended site for IM injections in infants and toddlers.
This muscle is located on the anterolateral aspect of the thigh and is the largest and most developed muscle in this age group.
Its location is distant from major nerves (like the sciatic nerve) and blood vessels, minimizing the risk of injury.
The muscle can accommodate the volumes typically required for infant immunizations (up to 0.5 mL for smaller infants, 1 mL for older infants).

Option A: The triceps muscle is not a recommended site for IM injections in any age group due to its small size and proximity to the radial nerve and brachial artery.
Option B: The deltoid muscle is too small and underdeveloped in infants to safely receive an IM injection. Using it poses a risk of injury to the radial and axillary nerves.
Option D: The gluteal muscles (dorsogluteal and ventrogluteal) are not recommended for infants. The dorsogluteal site is particularly dangerous due to the high risk of sciatic nerve damage, as the nerve's location is unpredictable in this age group and the muscle is underdeveloped.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain The concept tested is the identification of the safest and most appropriate site for administering intramuscular (IM) injections in the infant population as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Correct site selection is a critical nursing responsibility to ensure patient safety and medication effectiveness. Using the wrong site can lead to nerve damage, paralysis, pain, abscess formation, and poor drug absorption.
For immunizations, using the correct site and technique is essential for provoking the intended immune response.
What if the child was 5 years old? The preferred sites would change. The deltoid muscle would be an appropriate option for vaccines, and the ventrogluteal site would also be a safe and preferred choice, as the gluteal muscles are well-developed by this age.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key patient demographic in the question: 'infants'.
Recall the principles of growth and development related to muscle mass in infants.
Evaluate each option based on safety and muscle development for this specific age group.
Eliminate the gluteal muscle due to the high risk of sciatic nerve injury in infants.
Eliminate the deltoid and triceps muscles because they are too small and underdeveloped.
Conclude that the vastus lateralis is the only remaining option and is known to be the largest, safest, and most recommended muscle for IM injections in infants.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: The concept tested is the identification of the safest and most appropriate site for administering intramuscular (IM) injections in the infant population.
Stem keywords: intramuscular injections, infants, preferred site
Lead-in keywords: Which
Clinical cues: The patient's age (infant) is the most critical piece of information, as muscle development and associated risks vary significantly with age.

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