Psychiatric Technician Practice Exam

Why would a psychiatric technician use the Z-Tract technique for an intramuscular injection?

1. To ensure rapid absorption of the medication

2. To prevent medication from irritating the subcutaneous tissue

3. To reduce the pain of the injection

4. To facilitate easier administration of fluid medication

The correct answer is: To prevent medication from irritating the subcutaneous tissue

The Z-Tract technique is specifically designed to minimize irritation and discomfort associated with intramuscular injections. By displacing the skin and subcutaneous tissue before inserting the needle, this technique creates a sealed pathway, which helps to ensure that the medication is delivered deep into the muscle tissue without leaking back into the subcutaneous layer. This is particularly important for certain medications that may be irritating to superficial tissues, as it prevents potential pain and irritation that could arise if the medication were to escape into the subcutaneous tissue. This method allows the medication to be absorbed properly in a more appropriate environment (the muscle), where it can work effectively without causing damage to the surrounding tissues. Therefore, the primary reason for utilizing the Z-Tract technique is to enhance patient comfort and maintain the efficacy of the medication being administered.