Human Anatomy & Physiology (9th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321743261
ISBN 13: 978-0-32174-326-8

Chapter 10 - The Muscular System - Review Questions - Page 383: 27b

Answer

27b There are three muscles commonly used as sites of intramuscular (im) injections--gluteus maximus, gluteus medius and vastus lateralis,. The vastus lateralis site is preferred in infants because infants develop adequate -sized gluteal muscles slowly. Injections into the gluteal sites are easy and convenient. However, these muscles are adjacent to the large and important sciatic nerve. Intramuscular injections given to an infant into the gluteal muscles are likely to cause damage to the sciatic nerve --unless administered by very highly skilled hands

Work Step by Step

For the admininistering of intramuscular injections to infants ,the Vastus lateralis site is the preferred site. The gluteus maximus and gluteus medius sites are convenient and safe to use in adults. However, in infants with inadequate -sized buttocks muscles--which develop late-it is much safer to use the Vastus lateralis site. which is out of harm's way of the posterior course of the sciatic nerve.
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