Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 81%
Simulated
Passage / Scenario
A nurse is administering a hepatitis B vaccine to a newborn.Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Correct answer
C
Rationale
The correct answer is C: Administer the injection into the vastus lateralis muscle. This is the correct action because the vastus lateralis muscle is a recommended site for intramuscular injections in adults due to its large, well-developed muscle mass and lower risk of hitting nerves or blood vessels. Using a 21-gauge needle (choice A) is not specified for this particular injection and may not be appropriate for all medications. Inserting the needle at a 45┬░ angle (choice B) is not necessary for the vastus lateralis muscle and may not ensure proper depth of injection. Vigorously massaging the site (choice D) can cause tissue damage and is not recommended post-injection.