A nurse is mixing NPH insulin and regular insulin prior to administration. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A.
Inject air into the vial with regular insulin in it.
B.
Draw up the NPH insulin dose.
C.
Inject air into the vial with NPH insulin in it.
D.
Draw up the regular insulin dose.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is C. Inject air into the vial with NPH insulin in it.
Explanation:
When mixing NPH (Neutral Protamine Hagedorn) insulin with regular insulin, the process must be done correctly to ensure proper dosage and efficacy of the insulin. NPH insulin is an intermediate-acting insulin, while regular insulin is a short-acting insulin. Mixing these insulins requires careful attention to technique to avoid contamination and ensure correct dosing.
Here’s a step-by-step explanation of the correct procedure:
- Inject Air into NPH Insulin Vial First:
- Begin by injecting air into the vial containing the NPH insulin. This step is essential because NPH insulin is in a suspension and can create a vacuum in the vial as insulin is withdrawn. Injecting air into the vial helps to equalize the pressure and makes it easier to withdraw the insulin without creating a vacuum.
- Inject Air into Regular Insulin Vial:
- Next, inject air into the vial containing the regular insulin. This step is done before drawing up the insulin to avoid contaminating the regular insulin with NPH insulin. It also facilitates easier withdrawal of regular insulin.
- Draw Up Regular Insulin:
- After injecting air into the regular insulin vial, withdraw the required amount of regular insulin. Drawing up the short-acting insulin first prevents it from being contaminated with the intermediate-acting NPH insulin, which could affect its action.
- Draw Up NPH Insulin:
- Finally, go back to the NPH insulin vial and withdraw the required amount. This order of drawing up the insulins prevents the contamination of regular insulin with NPH insulin, ensuring that the doses are accurate and effective.
By following these steps, you ensure that the insulin mixture is correctly prepared, minimizing the risk of complications or ineffective treatment. Mixing insulins in the wrong order or contaminating vials could alter the effectiveness of the insulin or result in incorrect dosing.