A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection of an irritating medication using the Z-track technique. Which action should the nurse perform to ensure the injection is administered correctly?
Pull the skin laterally with the non-injecting hand and maintain this position until the needle is withdrawn slowly, and release the skin slowly.
Pull the skin taut with the forefinger and thumb of the non-dominant hand before needle insertion.
Release the displaced skin quickly before removing the needle to minimize skin trauma.
Massage the injection site vigorously after needle withdrawal to disperse the medication and reduce pain.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Pull the skin laterally with the non-injecting hand and maintain this position until the needle is withdrawn slowly, and release the skin slowly: The Z-track technique displaces subcutaneous tissue to create a zigzag path, preventing medication from leaking into subcutaneous tissue. Maintaining lateral tension during injection and slow withdrawal ensures proper deposition and minimizes tissue irritation.
B. Pull the skin taut with the forefinger and thumb of the non-dominant hand before needle insertion: Pulling the skin taut is not part of the Z-track method and does not create the necessary tissue displacement. This technique is more appropriate for standard intramuscular injections without irritant medications.
C. Release the displaced skin quickly before removing the needle to minimize skin trauma: Releasing the skin before needle withdrawal would allow medication to track back into subcutaneous tissue, increasing irritation and tissue staining. Maintaining tension until withdrawal is critical.
D. Massage the injection site vigorously after needle withdrawal to disperse the medication and reduce pain: Massaging an irritant IM injection site can worsen tissue damage, cause staining, and increase discomfort. The Z-track technique is designed to prevent the need for post-injection massage.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. QID: QID stands for “four times a day” and indicates a scheduled dosing frequency, not as-needed administration.
B. PRN: PRN is the standard abbreviation for “pro re nata,” meaning the medication should be taken only as needed for specific symptoms or situations. It allows flexibility based on patient condition or response.
C. BID: BID means “twice a day” and represents a regular, scheduled dosing interval rather than an as-needed basis.
D. AC: AC stands for “before meals” and refers to timing of medication administration relative to food intake, not frequency or need-based use.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. 6 mL: The directions explicitly instruct adding 6 mL of sterile water to the vial to achieve a final concentration of 500 mg/mL. This volume of diluent ensures proper reconstitution and accurate dosing for intramuscular administration.
B. 3 grams: This represents the total amount of medication in the vial, not the volume of diluent to be added. Confusing the total drug amount with diluent volume would result in incorrect preparation.
C. 500 mg/mL: This is the final concentration of the reconstituted solution, not the amount of diluent. It indicates the strength after adding the correct volume of sterile water.
D. 1 mL: Adding 1 mL of diluent would create a solution with a much higher concentration than intended, leading to potential dosing errors and increased risk of adverse effects.
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