NHA Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)Clinical Patient CareMedium
A medical assistant is preparing to administer an influenza vaccine to an adult patient. The MA should administer the vaccine into which of the following muscles?
- AVastus Lateralis
- BVentrogluteal
- CDorsogluteal
- DDeltoid
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Deltoid
For adult influenza vaccines, the deltoid muscle is the preferred site for intramuscular injection due to its accessibility and sufficient muscle mass to absorb the medication.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Vastus Lateralis is primarily used for infants and young children.
- B. Ventrogluteal is a safe site but less commonly used for routine vaccinations than the deltoid.
- C. Dorsogluteal site carries a risk of sciatic nerve damage and is generally not recommended.
Adult IM Injection Site
For adult intramuscular injections, especially routine vaccinations like influenza, the deltoid muscle is the preferred site due to its accessibility and safety profile.
- Deltoid is preferred for adults.
- Vastus Lateralis for infants/children.
- Avoid dorsogluteal due to nerve risk.
Memory trick: Adults Aim for Deltoid, Infants for Thigh.