Certified Medical Assistant (CMA AAMA)PharmacologyHard
A medical assistant is instructed to use the Z-track injection technique when administering iron dextran intramuscularly. What is the primary purpose of this technique?
- ATo reduce the volume of medication needed
- BTo prevent leakage of the medication into subcutaneous tissue and skin staining
- CTo allow for a smaller gauge needle to be used
- DTo increase the speed of drug absorption
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. To prevent leakage of the medication into subcutaneous tissue and skin staining
The Z-track technique displaces the skin and subcutaneous tissue laterally before injection, then releases it after withdrawal of the needle, sealing the medication within the muscle. This prevents the irritating or staining medication (such as iron dextran) from leaking back through the injection tract into subcutaneous tissue or skin.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Z-track technique does not change the volume of medication administered.
- C. Needle gauge selection is unrelated to the Z-track method; it depends on medication viscosity.
- D. Z-track technique does not affect absorption speed; it is used for tissue protection, not efficacy.
Z-Track Injection Technique
An IM injection method where the skin is pulled taut and offset before needle insertion to seal medication within the muscle and prevent leakage or staining.
- Used for irritating or staining medications like iron dextran
- Skin is displaced about 1 inch before injection
- Needle is held in place briefly after injection before withdrawal
Memory trick: 'Zigzag seals the stain away'