The nurse plans on administering a medication using the Z-track intramuscular technique. The nurse knows the following steps are required during the procedure.
Draw 0.2 – 0.5 cc of air after aspirating the prescribed medication.
Use the vastus lateralis muscle.
Replace the needle used for medication withdrawal with a new one prior to injection.
Insert the needle at 45-degree angle.
Numbers 1 and 3 are correct.
Rationale: Withdrawing air after aspirating the prescribed medication creates an air-lock to seal in the medication once injected. The needle used for medication is replaced with a new one prior to injection so no drug is on the outside of the needle shaft. The ventrogluteal muscle is used for Z-track injection. The needle is inserted at a 90-degree angle.
