A nurse is preparing to administer an IM injection to an infant. Which of the following injection sites should the nurse select for administering the medication?

A. Vastus lateralis: The vastus lateralis muscle, located in the anterolateral thigh, is the preferred site for intramuscular injections in infants under 12 months. It is well-developed and has minimal risk of nerve or blood vessel injury, making it the safest choice. B. Dorsogluteal: The dorsogluteal site poses a risk of damaging the sciatic nerve and has less reliable muscle mass in infants. It is not recommended for IM injections in this age group due to safety concerns. C. Deltoid: The deltoid muscle is typically too small and underdeveloped in infants for safe intramuscular injection. It also has a smaller volume capacity and a higher risk of injury to surrounding structures. D. Rectus femoris: While the rectus femoris can be used as an alternative site, it is less preferred due to increased discomfort and less consistent muscle mass. It may also cause more irritation or pain during injection compared to the vastus lateralis.