A nurse is preparing to administer an IM injection for an infant. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Rationale: A. Administer the medication into the vastus lateralis muscle: The vastus lateralis is the preferred site for intramuscular injections in infants because it is well-developed and free of major nerves and blood vessels. This site allows for safe and effective absorption of the medication. B. Administer the medication with a 20-gauge needle: A 20-gauge needle is too large for infants and can cause unnecessary tissue trauma. A smaller gauge, typically 22–25, is appropriate for IM injections in infants to minimize pain and tissue damage. C. Administer the medication into the deltoid muscle: The deltoid muscle is underdeveloped in infants, making it unsuitable for IM injections due to limited muscle mass and risk of injury to underlying structures. It is generally used only in older children or adults. D. Administer the medication over 2 min: IM injections are typically administered at a moderate pace, but a 2-minute administration is unnecessarily slow for infants. Proper technique involves steady, controlled injection without causing excessive discomfort.