An experienced nurse recognizes that the dorsogluteal injection site is no longer used for intramuscular injections because of the risk of damaging the _______________.

sciatic nerve
Recent evidence supports avoiding the traditional dorsogluteal route in favor of the ventrogluteal site.Therefore,the dorsogluteal site should not be used as a site for IM injection.Studies have demonstrated that the exact location of the sciatic nerve varies from one person to another.If a needle hits the sciatic nerve,the patient may experience permanent or partial paralysis of the involved leg.