The injection haloperidol is given intramuscularly by which technique?

Appeared in: AIIMS Delhi NO - 2017

Explanation

Haloperidol is an irritating medication, and the Z-track method is the evidence-based standard for administering such drugs via the intramuscular route.
This technique involves displacing the skin and subcutaneous tissue laterally before inserting the needle.
After the injection, the skin is released, creating a zigzag path that seals the medication deep within the muscle.
This sealing action prevents the medication from leaking back into the subcutaneous tissue, thereby reducing pain, irritation, tissue damage, and potential skin discoloration.

Option B: M-Track is not a recognized or standard intramuscular injection technique in nursing practice.
Option C: K-Track is a fabricated term and does not represent a valid medical procedure for administering injections.
Option D: R-Track is not a standard nursing term for an injection technique; it is a distractor.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Intramuscular (IM) injection techniques for irritating medications as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Using the Z-track method for irritating medications like haloperidol is a critical nursing skill to ensure patient safety and comfort, preventing complications like sterile abscesses, tissue necrosis, and intense pain.
Proper site selection (e.g., ventrogluteal muscle) combined with the Z-track technique maximizes drug absorption and minimizes local adverse effects.
What if? If a non-irritating, small-volume medication like a routine vaccine is given, the Z-track method is not mandatory. However, it is still recommended by many guidelines to reduce minor leakage and pain at the injection site.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the core of the question, which is the correct IM technique for administering haloperidol.
Recall or deduce the properties of haloperidol for injection; it is known to be an irritating solution.
Connect the drug's property (irritating) to the appropriate specialized injection technique designed to manage it.
Evaluate the given options. The Z-track method is specifically designed for irritating medications to prevent tissue damage and leakage.
Eliminate the other options (M-Track, K-Track, R-Track) as they are not standard, recognized nursing procedures.
Conclude that the Z-track method is the correct technique for administering IM haloperidol.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Intramuscular (IM) injection techniques for irritating medications.
Stem keywords: injection, haloperidol, intramuscularly, technique
Lead-in keywords: which technique

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E6 Pharmacology Nursing Lilley 11e Part 1 p. 137-139

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