about Z-track

[GingerSue]

In my manual, it says to aspirate in order to ensure that the needle is not in a blood vessel.

But the course/lab facilitator said "not to aspirate".

Why would a Z-track not require aspiration?

[vmoh18]

Our pharm instuctor told us that we were to aspirate all drugs, even in z-track, except heparin and insulin. She said that if we put the meds in the blood vessel, it could cause serious reactions from the meds acting to fast.

I have found that what the instructor says and what the book says are two very different things, so you may want to ask yours to clarify.

[NoviceRN10]

Our pharm instuctor told us that we were to aspirate all drugs, even in z-track, except heparin and insulin. She said that if we put the meds in the blood vessel, it could cause serious reactions from the meds acting to fast.

I have found that what the instructor says and what the book says are two very different things, so you may want to ask yours to clarify.

Is your pharm instructor a clinical instructor? I have given several Lovenox injections and you do not aspirate them either (sub-q). I have never heard of aspirating anything that wasn't an IM injection.

[vmoh18]

Yes she is also a clinical instuctor. I doubled checked her cheat sheet she gave us on IMs and Subcu and it says to aspirate all drugs EXCEPT heparin and insulin even in subcu and z-track. Whenever we give a shot that is one of the things you can hear he saying under her breath. She will be behind you "aspirate, aspirate". That is one of her pet peeves that you better not forget.

[NoviceRN10]

Yes she is also a clinical instuctor. I doubled checked her cheat sheet she gave us on IMs and Subcu and it says to aspirate all drugs EXCEPT heparin and insulin even in subcu and z-track. Whenever we give a shot that is one of the things you can hear he saying under her breath. She will be behind you "aspirate, aspirate". That is one of her pet peeves that you better not forget.

Is she old school?

[corbinRN]

This is what I have learned and how I've always practiced (and no clinical instructor or observing nurse ever corrected me on):

Aspirate with IMs to make sure you're NOT in a blood vessel.

Aspirate with IVs to make sure you ARE in a vein.

Don't aspirate with SubQs because you're going in fat, not vascular tissue, so you won't have the worry about going into a vessel.

Don't aspirate with IDs because you're just going under the skin which is not vascular.

Hope this helps clear things up!

[vmoh18]

Is she old school?

Yes she is. our class is divided up into 5 clinical groups and none of the other four clinical instructors say to aspirate subq. But I have found that our instructors can't agree on anything, so I find out which way each one wants it done and do it their way.