well that was disheartening.

[beachbum3]

so I go into to try to get a couple return demos out of the way. IM is a repeat demo from last semester. I passed it last semester. Z-track also, but that was a separate demo. This should be old hat, right? Well, I haven't done an IM since October- so I studied up from the text book. Go in to do it, figuring it will be quick and might as well get it out of the way. Instructor says shes going to have me do Z-track instead of normal IM. I go thru the whole thing and then at the end she asks me how much of an airlock to put in the syringe. I said .1 cc. Its .2-.3. So I failed it. I guessed at the .1 cc. I honestly couldn't remember. I went to the text book afterwards and there is no mention anywhere about an airlock, never mind how much! I mentioned it to the instructor and she says "its in your skills book" which is another text book, and if you do everything out of that you'd fail too because they don't want you doing all the things that it says to do. They pick and choose from each book. Its frustrating. But I should have known it. I walked out of there thinking "I can't even give an injection correctly, why am I even trying to be a nurse!!" Its such a basic thing and I messed it up- my mind went completely blank when she asked me. I spend so much time doubting myself and wondering if I can really do this or not.

[Future_Nurse_Natalie]

we have all been there at one point or another. i'm sorry you had to go through this but think about it like this: there will come a time where you have to give a z-track and b/c of this experience you will know that skill like no other and will be confident in it. don't be too hard on yourself

[locolorenzo22, BSN, RN]

Go figure....you wanna PM me with who it was? Although I can probably guess......

[beachbum3]

Go figure....you wanna PM me with who it was? Although I can probably guess......

I'm sure you can guess.. its the instructor I have for class now, who you will have when we switch in a few weeks. I actually like her, and I should have known it. BUT geesh, I mean she made an IM demo take 30 minutes because she asked me every possible medication question under the sun, as well as every thing ever about the injection process itself and all the rationales. Still, its better to be thorough I guess.

[locolorenzo22, BSN, RN]

True, but isn't there such a thing as TOO through....I've lucked out as I really haven't had her for too many demos yet. I'm just looking forward to switching which means we're 1/2 way through! WHOOT!!!

[ladyinred667]

I go thru the whole thing and then at the end she asks me how much of an airlock to put in the syringe. I said .1 cc. Its .2-.3. So I failed it. I guessed at the .1 cc. I honestly couldn't remember. I went to the text book afterwards and there is no mention anywhere about an airlock, never mind how much!

What is an airlock? It's not something that was taught to us in our program.

[Future_Nurse_Natalie]

What is an airlock? It's not something that was taught to us in our program.

It is 0.2 mL (cc) of air that you have in your syringe after drawing up IM meds. This is to ensure the med goes into the muscle and not into the SQ.

I am surprised you haven't learned that.

[ladyinred667]

It is 0.2 mL (cc) of air that you have in your syringe after drawing up IM meds. This is to ensure the med goes into the muscle and not into the SQ.

I am surprised you haven't learned that.

Huh. It's not even in our skills manual.

[chudder]

We were taught not to use an air lock, as it has been shown to neither ensure that the med remains in the muscle nor that the correct amount has been drawn up into the syringe when preparing it. Nicoll LH, Hesby A: Intramuscular injection: an integrative research review and guideline for evidence-based practice, Appl Nurs Res 16(2):149, 2002.