Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 69%
Simulated
A nurse is administering a hepatitis B vaccine to a newborn. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Correct answer
A
Rationale
The correct answer is A: Administer the injection into the vastus lateralis muscle. For newborns, the vastus lateralis muscle is the preferred site for intramuscular injections due to its size and well-developed muscle mass, ensuring proper absorption and minimizing the risk of injury to surrounding structures. Administering the vaccine into this muscle also helps improve vaccine efficacy. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Choice B, vigorously massaging the site, can cause discomfort, bruising, and potential tissue damage. Choice C, inserting the needle at a 45┬░ angle, is not recommended for intramuscular injections as the needle should be inserted at a 90┬░ angle to ensure proper delivery into the muscle. Choice D, using a 21-gauge needle, is not specific for newborns and can be too large for their small muscle mass, causing unnecessary pain and potential tissue damage.