According to instructions that require the Z-track technique, which action should the nurse take?

According to instructions that require the Z-track technique, which action should the nurse take?

• A. Pinch the site throughout injection
• B. Massage the site after needle is removed
• C. Remove the needle immediately after the medication is injected
• D. Change the needle after the medication is drawn into the syringe

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is using proper needle management as part of a safe intramuscular injection technique. Changing the needle after the medication is drawn up and before administration supports sterility and minimizes tissue trauma, which fits with the overall goal of reducing irritation and leakage when using an IM Z-track technique. A fresh needle ensures a sharp tip for a precise insertion and helps prevent contaminants from being carried into the injection from the draw needle. In practice, the Z-track method itself involves displacing the skin to seal the needle track, inserting the needle, injecting slowly, and then withdrawing while the skin is released, without massaging the site. The other options don’t align with this approach: pinching the site throughout isn’t how the skin is handled in the Z-track method, massaging after injection can push medication into subcutaneous tissue, and removing the needle immediately (without using a fresh needle for the injection) goes against maintaining a clean, sharp needle for the administration.

The main idea here is using proper needle management as part of a safe intramuscular injection technique. Changing the needle after the medication is drawn up and before administration supports sterility and minimizes tissue trauma, which fits with the overall goal of reducing irritation and leakage when using an IM Z-track technique. A fresh needle ensures a sharp tip for a precise insertion and helps prevent contaminants from being carried into the injection from the draw needle.

In practice, the Z-track method itself involves displacing the skin to seal the needle track, inserting the needle, injecting slowly, and then withdrawing while the skin is released, without massaging the site. The other options don’t align with this approach: pinching the site throughout isn’t how the skin is handled in the Z-track method, massaging after injection can push medication into subcutaneous tissue, and removing the needle immediately (without using a fresh needle for the injection) goes against maintaining a clean, sharp needle for the administration.