A nurse plans an intramuscular injection into the gluteal region. To avoid the most serious neurovascular complication, the injection should be placed in the:

• A Upper inner quadrant of the buttock
• B Lower inner quadrant of the buttock
• C Upper outer quadrant of the buttock ✓
• D Lower outer quadrant of the buttock

Explanation

Dividing the buttock into quadrants by lines through the greater trochanter and posterior superior iliac spine places the sciatic nerve in the lower inner quadrant as it emerges below piriformis through the greater sciatic foramen. Injection into the upper outer quadrant avoids the sciatic nerve and the superior gluteal vessels, preventing sciatic neuropathy, the most feared complication of careless gluteal injections.

Reference: Gray's Anatomy for Students, 4th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.