Deck 11: Parenteral Administration: Intradermal, Subcutaneous, and Intramuscular Routes

Question 1

Which is the preferred intramuscular site for injecting a 6-month-old child?

A) Dorsogluteal
B) Abdominal
C) Vastus lateralis
D) Deltoid muscle

Answer 1

Vastus lateralis

Question 2

When is it acceptable to use the deltoid muscle as an injection site for infants?

A) Medication is irritating.
B) Dose is a long-acting medication.
C) Child is combative.
D) Volume is quite small.

Answer 2

Volume is quite small.

Question 3

Which parenteral route has the longest absorption time?

A) Intradermal
B) Subcutaneous
C) Intramuscular
D) Intravenous

Answer 3

Intradermal

Question 4

Which site is identified by the posterior superior iliac spine and greater trochanter?

A) Ventrogluteal
B) Dorsogluteal
C) Vastus lateralis
D) Rectus femoris

Question 5

Which gauge needles are used for subcutaneous injections?

A) 14 to 16 gauge
B) 18 to 21 gauge
C) 22 to 24 gauge
D) 25 to 29 gauge

Question 6

The vastus lateralis muscle is appropriate for injections for which patients? (Select all that apply.)

A) Children younger than 3 years of age
B) Elderly
C) Debilitated
D) Nonambulatory
E) Ambulatory
F) Healthy

Question 7

The nurse is preparing to administer kindergarten immunizations at the local health clinic. Which anatomic site would be best for the injection of the immunizations containing 0.5 mL?

A) Rectus femoris
B) Dorsogluteal
C) Deltoid
D) Ventrogluteal

Question 8

A 65-year-old man who weighs 180 lb (81.8 kg) is to receive 1.5 mL of a viscous antibiotic by intramuscular injection. Which needle and syringe will be used?

A) 5/8-inch, 25-gauge needle with 5-mL syringe
B) 1-inch, 28-gauge needle with 4-mL syringe
C) 1 1/2-inch, 21-gauge needle with 3-mL syringe
D) 3-inch, 16-gauge needle with 1.5-mL syringe

Question 9

Which technique by the nurse is accurate when administering heparin to a thin, older adult patient?

A) Aspirate before injecting the medication.
B) Inject at a 45-degree angle.
C) Inject at a 90-degree angle.
D) Massage site following injection.

Question 10

Which assessment by the nurse is most important to obtain prior to performing allergy sensitivity testing?

A) Identify areas of loose connective tissue.
B) Question the patient about frequency of exercise.
C) Determine if the patient is using aspirin.
D) Palpate and measure the size of induration.

Question 11

Which angle is appropriate when administering an IM medication in the dorsogluteal site to a 46-year-old obese man?

A) 45 degrees
B) 60 degrees
C) 75 degrees
D) 90 degrees

Question 12

Which action by the nurse is most accurate when administering an intradermal injection?

A) Insert the needle at a 45-degree angle.
B) Inject 0.1 mL.
C) Use a 22-gauge needle.
D) Wipe the site with alcohol after injection.

Question 13

The nurse is educating a patient about diabetes. Based on recommendations from the American Diabetes Association, which statement by the nurse is best regarding site rotation?

A) "Insulin injection sites should always be in the abdomen to ensure absorption into the stomach."
B) "It is important to rotate injection sites systematically within one area before progressing to a new site for injection."
C) "Following exercise, site rotation is not indicated because the circulation in the muscles will absorb the medication efficiently."
D) "If you aspirate, site rotation can be done every other day to avoid developing problems with absorption."

Question 14

Which nursing action is accurate when administering an intramuscular injection using the Z-track method?

A) Use a 1-inch needle.
B) Add 0.5 mL of air to the syringe.
C) Vigorously massage the injection site.
D) Pinch up the skin.

Question 15

Which statements are true about when administering medications parenterally? (Select all that apply.)

A) Subcutaneous absorption is slower than intradermal absorption.
B) Two milliliters or less should be administered in a subcutaneous site.
C) The gluteal area is recommended for children.
D) Needles 1 to 1 1/2 inches in length are common for IM injections.
E) The scapular areas of the back may be used for intradermal injections

Question 16

The nurse is preparing to administer allergy sensitivity testing to a patient. Which statements pertain to this type of administration? (Select all that apply.)

A) Allergy sensitivity testing requires the intradermal route.
B) Injections are made into the loose connective tissue.
C) Equipment needed includes gloves, antiseptic pledget, metric ruler, and physician's order sheet.
D) Record of previous injection sites is needed.
E) The needle should be inserted at a 15-degree angle with the needle bevel up.