Hit me with your Best Shot: A Comparison of the Z-track and Air-bubble Intramuscular Injection Techniques

Abstract

The nursing profession has a long history of using the traditional methods of intramuscular injections (IM), including the z-track and air-bubble methods. This evidence-based project examined the PICOT question: In the adult patient, how does the z-track method compare to the air-bubble method when preventing seepage of medication and patient pain via intramuscular injections? An extensive literature review was conducted using medical databases including: CINAHL, EbscoHOST, and Medline. From these databases, eleven articles were located and five were selected for review. Of the five articles examined, four randomized control trials indicated that the z-track method reduces patient pain and prevents the seepage of medication. Current research indicates that nurses should administer IM injections via the z-track method; however, more research is needed to further influence evidence-based practice.