Question

A nurse is caring for a client who is at 16 weeks of gestation and has severe iron deficiency anemia. The provider prescribes an injection of iron dextran IM. Which of the following methods should the nurse use to administer the medication?

a) Use a 20-gauge needle, and administer the medication using the Z-track method.
b) Use a 22-gauge needle, and administer the medication deep into the thigh.
c) Use a 25-gauge needle, and administer the medication into the deltoid muscle.
d) Use an 18-gauge needle, and administer the medication into the rectus femoris muscle

Answer 1

The nurse should administer the iron dextran injection using a 20-gauge needle with the Z-track method to prevent leakage and ensure proper medication absorption.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should use a 20-gauge needle and administer the medication using the Z-track method. This is the recommended procedure for giving intramuscular injections of iron dextran to clients, including those who are pregnant. The Z-track method is utilized to prevent medication from leaking back into the subcutaneous tissue, which can minimize irritation and ensure that the medication is absorbed properly.

It is essential to choose a needle of suitable diameter to allow the viscous iron dextran solution to be administered efficiently. A 20-gauge needle is often thick enough to achieve this. In terms of injection site, the dorsogluteal (buttock) or ventrogluteal (hip) areas are preferred due to their deep muscles and fewer nerve endings compared to areas like the deltoid.