The preferred intramuscular site for a child who is three-years-old and walks is:

• A. Deltoid muscle
• B. Vastus lateralis muscle
• C. Ventogluteal muscle
• D. Dorsogluteal muscle

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is that where you give an intramuscular injection in a child depends on how developed the muscles are and how safe the site is. By age three, the deltoid muscle in the upper arm has developed enough to safely receive a typical pediatric IM dose and is easy to access, making it the preferred site for injections in a walking child. It allows quick, reliable absorption and is convenient for injections given in the classroom or clinic setting.

The vastus lateralis is a strong option for younger infants or when a larger volume is needed, but at three years old the deltoid is generally favored because it’s safer and easier to reach. The ventrogluteal and dorsogluteal regions carry a higher risk of nerve injury in small children and are harder to locate accurately, so they are not usually chosen first in a toddler who can safely use the deltoid.