A nurse prepares to give BCG vaccine to a healthy newborn in the labour room. What are the correct dose, route and site of administration?
- A 0.05 mL intradermally over the left upper arm ✓
- B 0.1 mL intramuscularly in the left deltoid
- C 0.05 mL subcutaneously over the right upper arm
- D 0.1 mL intradermally over the left thigh
Correct answer: A. 0.05 mL intradermally over the left upper arm
Explanation
BCG is given as 0.05 mL (infant dose) intradermally using a 26G needle at the insertion of left deltoid. The 0.1 mL dose is reserved for children above 12 months and for revaccination settings. Subcutaneous or intramuscular injection causes local complications such as abscess and lymphadenopathy. Right-sided injection is incorrect because the standard site in UIP is the left upper arm.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.