The nurse is about to administer iron dextran to the client. The correct technique to administer the drug is… - IGNOU PB. Bsc. Nsg. Entrance-2025

IGNOU PB. Bsc. Nsg. Entrance-2025

Nursing Foundation

Easy

Appeared in: IGNOU PB. Bsc. Nsg. Entrance-2025

Explanation

Iron dextran is a medication that is highly irritating to tissues and can cause permanent skin staining.
The Z-track intramuscular (IM) injection technique is specifically designed to prevent the leakage of irritating medications into the subcutaneous tissue.
This method creates a zigzag path that effectively seals the medication deep within a large muscle, which minimizes pain, irritation, and the risk of permanent skin discoloration.

Option A: Subcutaneous administration of iron dextran is contraindicated. It would cause severe tissue irritation, significant pain, and permanent brown staining of the skin.
Option B: The intradermal route is used for sensitivity testing (e.g., tuberculin, allergy tests) and involves injecting a tiny volume of fluid into the dermis. It is not suitable for the absorption of iron dextran.
Option D: Iron dextran is a parenteral formulation only and is destroyed by the gastrointestinal tract if taken orally. It is not designed for oral administration.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Parenteral Medication Administration: Z-Track Method to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
Proper Z-track technique is a critical nursing skill to ensure patient safety and comfort, preventing complications like permanent skin staining, sterile abscesses, and tissue necrosis when administering irritating medications.
Always use a deep, large muscle like the ventrogluteal site for Z-track injections of iron dextran, as it is away from major nerves and blood vessels, providing a safer administration site.
Patient education is key. Inform the patient that the skin will not be massaged after the injection to prevent leakage and staining.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the medication being administered: iron dextran.
Recall the key properties of this drug. Iron dextran is known to be highly irritating to tissues and can cause permanent skin staining.
Consider the available administration routes. The question asks for the correct technique for this specific drug.
Evaluate the options based on the drug's properties. Subcutaneous and intradermal routes are unsuitable for irritating medications. Oral administration is incorrect as this is a parenteral drug.
Identify the specialized technique designed for irritating IM medications. The Z-track method is the standard of care to prevent leakage and its associated complications.
Therefore, select the option describing an IM injection using the Z-track method.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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