How should the MMR vaccine be administered to an adult patient weighing 210 lb?

Study for the APhA Immunization Exam. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready for your certification!

The MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, is administered subcutaneously. This route is specifically chosen to ensure that the live attenuated viruses in the vaccine are involved properly in eliciting an immune response.

Administering the vaccine subcutaneously involves injecting it at a 45-degree angle to the skin, which helps to ensure that it enters the fatty tissue just beneath the skin without going too deep into muscle tissue. For adults, including those weighing 210 lb, this angle is standard practice when giving subcutaneous injections.

Other administration routes or angles, such as intramuscular at a 90-degree angle or intravenous at a 30-degree angle, are not appropriate for the MMR vaccine. MMR is not given intravenously, and intramuscular injections are typically reserved for different vaccines, such as those that require a deeper penetration into muscle tissue. Oral administration is not applicable here, as the MMR vaccine must enter the bloodstream through an injection to be effective. Hence, the correct method for administering the MMR vaccine to an adult patient is subcutaneously at a 45-degree angle.

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