Final answer:
A nurse draws a small amount of air into the syringe after measuring the correct dose for a Z-track injection to seal the medication within the muscle tissue and prevent it from leaking back into subcutaneous tissue.
Step-by-step explanation:
The rationale for a nurse drawing a small amount of air into the syringe after measuring the correct medication dose for a Z-track injection is to ensure that the medication is sealed within the muscle tissue. This technique helps to prevent the medication from leaking back along the needle track and into subcutaneous tissue, which could result in irritation or a decrease in medication effectiveness.
By injecting a small amount of air after the medication, the nurse creates a barrier that seals the medication within the muscle. This is especially important for medications that can be irritating to the tissue if they were to escape from the muscle into the surrounding areas. Additionally, this practice ensures that the medication dose delivered is accurate, as no residual medication is left in the needle or needle track.