RN Basic Medication Administration Practice Exam

Intramuscular injections in adults can be given into several muscles, chosen based on the volume to be injected and safety considerations. The deltoid muscle is convenient and close to the surface, making it a common site for small-volume injections such as vaccines. The ventrogluteal site sits deeper in the gluteal region and is favored for larger volumes because it avoids major nerves and vessels. The vastus lateralis, located on the outer thigh, is also a reliable site and is used when other sites aren’t suitable or when administering to patients who can’t position themselves easily for gluteal injections. Because all three muscles are recognized IM sites for adults, the option that includes all of them is the best choice. In practice, the exact site chosen depends on the injection volume, patient anatomy, and safety considerations.