The nurse is administering an intramuscular injection of an antibiotic to a 3-month-old infant. Which would be the best site for the nurse to give this medication?

Choice A reason: Intravenous administration isn’t inherently safer, as it carries risks like infection or extravasation. Less trauma from fewer injections is accurate, making this incorrect, as it overstates safety compared to the true benefit of reduced physical and emotional trauma in pediatric IV medication delivery.

Choice B reason: Intravenous medication reduces the need for multiple injections, minimizing physical and emotional trauma for children. This aligns with pediatric nursing principles for patient comfort, making it the correct statement about the advantage of IV administration compared to repeated intramuscular or subcutaneous injections.

Choice C reason: IV medications are absorbed rapidly, not slowly, due to direct bloodstream delivery. Less trauma from fewer injections is the true benefit, making this incorrect, as it misrepresents the pharmacokinetics of intravenous administration in the context of pediatric medication delivery.

Choice D reason: IV medication is delivered into veins, not fatty tissue, which describes subcutaneous injections. Reduced trauma from fewer injections is accurate, making this incorrect, as it confuses IV administration with another route in the nurse’s understanding of medication delivery methods.

Choice A reason: Slightly crooked teeth may complicate oral hygiene but are not a primary cause of cavities, which depend more on brushing and diet. Malocclusions affect chewing efficiency, making this less accurate and incorrect compared to the functional impact of misaligned teeth noted during the assessment.

Choice B reason: Malocclusions do not directly cause infections or tooth loss unless severe and untreated. Slight cross-over primarily impacts chewing and jaw function, not infection risk, making this exaggerated and incorrect for the primary reason to seek orthodontic consultation for the teenager’s teeth.

Choice C reason: Social impacts like dating or hiring are speculative and not the primary clinical concern for slight malocclusions. Chewing and jaw efficiency are direct functional issues, making this psychosocial focus less relevant and incorrect for the orthodontic referral rationale in this clinical scenario.

Choice D reason: Slight malocclusions, like crossed front teeth, can impair chewing and jaw function, leading to inefficient mastication or strain. This functional concern justifies orthodontic evaluation, aligning with dental health principles, making it the correct reason to recommend seeing an orthodontist for the teenager.