Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 70%
Simulated
A nurse is preparing to administer a vaccine into the deltoid muscle of a preschooler. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Correct answer
C
Rationale
The correct answer is C: Use a 1.8 mm (0.5 inch) needle. For administering a vaccine into the deltoid muscle of a preschooler, a shorter needle is recommended to ensure proper intramuscular injection. Using a 1.8 mm (0.5 inch) needle is appropriate for this age group as it minimizes the risk of reaching deeper tissues or causing injury. Choice A is incorrect as a 20-gauge needle is too thick for a preschooler's deltoid muscle. Choice B is incorrect because inserting the needle at a 15-degree angle may not guarantee proper intramuscular injection. Choice D is incorrect as inserting the needle just below the acromion process is not the correct site for deltoid muscle injection in preschoolers.