Which technique is used to prevent medication leakage along the needle track in IM injections?

• A. Z-track
• B. Air-lock
• C. Intradermal
• D. Ventrogluteal

Answer: (A)

The technique being tested is the Z-track method. This approach prevents medication from leaking back along the needle path by shifting the skin and underlying tissues before inserting the needle and then releasing them after the injection. That deliberate tissue displacement creates a sealed tract, so the medication stays in the muscle rather than seeping into subcutaneous tissue, reducing irritation and staining. It’s particularly useful for viscous or irritating solutions and is commonly used for injections in the gluteal muscle. The other options describe either a site (ventrogluteal) or a route (intradermal) rather than a technique to stop leakage. Air-lock is a different concept and is not the standard method for preventing leakage along the needle track in IM injections.