Mrs. Westmore has complained of nausea and vomiting. The nurse is preparing to administer her Gravol IM. Which needle would the nurse select for this injection?
1/8" 25 Gauge
1 1/2" blunt fill needle
1/2" 27 Gauge
1" 23 Gauge
The Correct Answer is D
A. 1/8" 25 Gauge: This needle is far too short for intramuscular injections and is generally used for intradermal injections. Using it for an IM injection would prevent the medication from reaching the muscle, reducing absorption and effectiveness.
B. 1 1/2" blunt fill needle: Blunt fill needles are intended for withdrawing medication from vials safely, not for patient administration. Using a blunt fill needle for IM injection could cause trauma or prevent proper medication delivery.
C. 1/2" 27 Gauge: Although the gauge is thin and may reduce injection discomfort, a 1/2-inch needle is often too short to reach the muscle in adult patients. Subcutaneous deposition could occur, leading to delayed absorption and decreased efficacy.
D. 1" 23 Gauge: A 1-inch, 23-gauge needle is appropriate for adult IM injections, providing sufficient length and diameter to reach the muscle and ensure proper medication absorption. This needle balances effectiveness with patient comfort and safety.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Abdomen: The abdomen is a preferred site for subcutaneous injections, such as insulin or heparin, due to good absorption and minimal risk of hitting major nerves. It is not suitable for intramuscular injections because it lacks adequate muscle mass to safely absorb IM medications like morphine.
B. Ventrogluteal: The ventrogluteal site is the safest and preferred location for IM injections in adults, including cachectic patients like Mrs. Westmore. It is free from major nerves and blood vessels, has a relatively thick muscle mass even in thin individuals, and reduces the risk of nerve injury compared with the dorsalgluteal site.
C. Dorsogluteal: The dorsogluteal site carries a higher risk of injuring the sciatic nerve, particularly in thin or cachectic patients. Due to her significant muscle wasting, using this site increases the chance of nerve damage and is therefore less preferred.
D. Deltoid: The deltoid is appropriate for small-volume IM injections but may not have sufficient muscle mass in extremely thin patients to safely administer larger doses like morphine. It is a secondary option when larger muscles are not available.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Calculation:
- Identify the ordered dose and available concentration
Ordered Dose: 4 mg
Available Concentration: 10 mg/2 mL
- Calculate the concentration per mL
Concentration = 10 ÷ 2 = 5 mg/mL
- Calculate the volume to administer
Volume to administer = Ordered Dose ÷ Concentration
Volume to administer = 4 ÷ 5
= 0.8 mL
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