(^108) CHAPTER 6 Route of Administration
Injection Site Description
Ventrogluteal • Relatively free of major nerves and vascular
branches.
- Well-defined bony anatomic landmarks.
- For IM or Z-Track injections.
- Locate the site by placing the heel of your hand
on the greater trochanter of the femur with the
thumb pointed toward the umbilicus. The index
finger marks the anterosuperior iliac spine.
The middle finger traces the iliac crest curvature.
The space between the index and middle fingers
is the injection site.
Dorsogluteal • Good site for IM and Z-track injections. - Danger to major nerves and vascular structures
near site. - Easy to give subcutaneously by mistake when
trying to give an IM because the fat is often
very thick.
Deltoid • Preferred site for vaccines. - Easily accessible.
- Muscle mass is small compared to other sites.
- Use a^5 / 8 inch to 1.5 inch long needle
- Locate the acromion process of the scapula and
the deltoid. Measure 2 to 3 fingers below the
acromion process on the lateral midline of
the arm to identify the proper site. Inject at a
90-degree angle.
Vastus lateralis • Preferred site for infants younger than 7 months. - It has a relatively large muscle mass.
- Free from major nerves and vascular branches.
- Site is a hand’s breadth below the greater
trochanter and above the knee. - Inject at a 45-degree angle toward the knee.
Table 6-1. Injection sites.