Why does the nurse administer lorazepam intramuscularly (IM) to the patient rather than into the subcutaneous tissue?
The patient does not have enough body fat to give the medication subcutaneously.
Intramuscular injections require smaller needles than subcutaneous injections.
The medication will be absorbed and begin to work more quickly when given IM.
Intramuscular injections are preferred for patients with a high risk of bleeding.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: Body fat levels influence subcutaneous absorption but are not the primary reason for choosing IM over SC injection in this scenario.
Choice B reason: Needle size varies by medication and patient factors, but this is not the defining reason for selecting IM over SC injection.
Choice C reason: IM injections deliver medication directly to muscle tissue with a rich vascular supply, ensuring faster absorption and onset compared to subcutaneous administration.
Choice D reason: IM injections are not inherently safer for patients at risk of bleeding; they carry similar risks and require proper assessment before administration.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: The barrel holds the medication; it’s the main body, not typically #7, and its static role doesn’t involve direct manipulation like other parts.
Choice B reason: The plunger, often numbered high in diagrams, moves to draw or inject; its dynamic function in volume control makes it a likely #7 candidate.
Choice C reason: The needle pierces tissue; usually a lower number, it’s distinct from the syringe’s operational core, less likely to be #7 in standard layouts.
Choice D reason: The tip connects the needle; a minor component, it’s rarely highlighted as #7, overshadowed by the plunger or barrel in functional importance.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Topical applies to skin or mucous surfaces broadly; gum/jaw placement is specific to buccal, not the general external or mucosal topical category.
Choice B reason: Oral means swallowed; buccal drugs stay in the mouth for absorption, avoiding the digestive tract, making this an incorrect route classification.
Choice C reason: Buccal involves placement between gum and cheek; it allows direct mucosal absorption into the bloodstream, bypassing first-pass metabolism effectively.
Choice D reason: Sublingual is under the tongue; gum/jaw specifies buccal, as sublingual targets a different oral site with distinct absorption dynamics.
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