1. Vitamin K is injectected intramuscularly to help prevent and treat hemorrhagic disorders of the newborns. Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin necessary in the production of certain clotting factors by the liver. ZHALLENE MICHELLE E. SANCHEZ, RN

2.  The newborn has a sterile intestine at birth, hence, the newborn does not possess the intestinal bacteria that manufactures vitamin K which is necessary for the formation of clotting factors.

3.  This makes the newborn prone to bleeding. As a preventive measure,.5 (preterm) and 1 mg (full term) Vitamin K or aquamephyton is injected IM in the newborn’s vastus lateralis (lateral anterior thigh) muscle.

4.  ACTION : This intervention provides vitamin K because the newborn does not have the intestinal flora to produce this vitamin in the first week after birth, it also promotes formation of clotting factors in the liver.  INDICATION: Vitamin K is used for prevention and treatment of hemorrhagic disease in the newborn.

5.  NEONATAL DOSAGE: Administer 0.5 to 1 mg. (0.25 to 0.5ml) dose intramuscularly within 2 hrs of birth; may be repeated if newborn shows bleeding tendencies.  ADVERSE REACTION: edema, erythema, and pain at injection site may occur rarely; hemolysis, jaundice, and hyperbilirubinemia have been reported, particularly in preterm infants.

6.  Nursing Considerations: Wear gloves. Administrator in the middle third of the vastus lateralis muscle by using a 25-gauge, 5/8 inch needle. Inject into skin that has been cleaned.

7.  Vitamin K  1ml syringe with 5/8 inch 25 gauge needle  aspirating needle  cotton ball soaked in 70% alcohol  dry sterile cotton balls.

8.  Wash hands thoroughly ( to prevent spread of infection)  Prepare all materials needed ( to conserve time and energy)  Aspirate vitamin K from ampoule using prepared syringe with aspirating needle.  Remove needle and replace with needle for injection.

9.  Choose injection site, then wipe with cotton ball with 70% alcohol ( to remove surface dirt and pathogens).

10.  Grasp the muscle tissue between your fingers, then pull laterally and downward ( to create a z-track which prevents medicine from leaking out). Thrust the needle straight down into the thigh at 90 o angle ( because this allows the medication to be introduced into the muscle rather than the subcutaneous tissue).

11.  Gently pull back the plunger to make sure the needle is not in a blood vessel. If no blood returns, proceed with the injection