Which statement best describes the purpose of the Z-track technique?

Which statement best describes the purpose of the Z-track technique?

• A. It minimizes skin friction
• B. It prevents medication from leaking along the needle track
• C. It lengthens the injection time
• D. It reduces infection by sterilizing tissue

Answer: (B)

The Z-track technique is used to prevent medication from leaking back along the needle path into subcutaneous tissue after an intramuscular injection. By pulling the skin to the side before inserting the needle and then releasing it after the injection, a zigzag path is created that seals the needle tract when the needle is withdrawn. This keeps the medication in the muscle, reduces local irritation, and prevents skin staining from certain solutions. It’s not about lengthening injection time, sterilizing tissue, or reducing infection; those aren’t the purposes of this technique.

The Z-track technique is used to prevent medication from leaking back along the needle path into subcutaneous tissue after an intramuscular injection. By pulling the skin to the side before inserting the needle and then releasing it after the injection, a zigzag path is created that seals the needle tract when the needle is withdrawn. This keeps the medication in the muscle, reduces local irritation, and prevents skin staining from certain solutions. It’s not about lengthening injection time, sterilizing tissue, or reducing infection; those aren’t the purposes of this technique.