The nurse prepares to administer an irritating medication by the Z-track technique. Which does the nurse use to administer this IM injection properly?

Question

1. Insert needle and pull skin 1 to 2 inches laterally before injection.
2. Have client lie in supine position to prevent medication leakage.
3. Wait 10 seconds and release skin before withdrawing the syringe.
4. Pull client's skin about inches laterally before inserting needle.

Answer 1

4
4. The nurse pulls the client's skin 1 to inches to the side before injecting the needle using the Z-track technique to prepare the seal for the medication after injection. When the skin is released after the needle is withdrawn, it assumes its original place and helps to contain the medication.
1. The nurse retracts the client's skin and then inserts the needle.
2. Supine positioning does not prevent medication leakage.
3. The nurse waits 10 seconds but withdraws the needle and then releases the skin.