A nurse is preparing to mix short-acting insulin with NPH insulin from two vials. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A.
Inject air into the vial to withdraw the short-acting insulin.
B.
Administer the insulin within 20 min of preparing it.
C.
Ensure the NPH insulin is drawn into the syringe first.
D.
use two separate syringes to mix the insulin.
The correct answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is B. Administer the insulin within 20 min of preparing it.
Explanation:
When mixing short-acting insulin (such as Regular insulin) with NPH insulin (an intermediate-acting insulin), proper technique is crucial to ensure the effectiveness of the insulin and patient safety. Here’s a breakdown of the process and rationale behind the correct answer:
- Order of Draw: When mixing insulins, the correct practice is to draw up the short-acting insulin first. This is to prevent contamination of the short-acting vial with NPH insulin, which could alter the action of the short-acting insulin. Therefore, option C (Ensure the NPH insulin is drawn into the syringe first) is incorrect.
- Injection Technique: The nurse should inject air into both vials before drawing up the insulin. This helps equalize pressure in the vials. However, option A (Inject air into the vial to withdraw the short-acting insulin) does not specify the correct procedure, as air should be injected into both vials.
- Mixing and Administration: Once the insulin is prepared, it’s essential to administer it promptly. Short-acting insulin begins to act quickly, usually within 30 minutes, so it is recommended to administer the insulin within 20 minutes of preparation to ensure it is effective. This makes option B the correct choice.
- Using Separate Syringes: While it’s possible to use separate syringes to mix insulin, this is not necessary for the mixing of short-acting and NPH insulin, which can be done in one syringe as long as the correct order is followed. Therefore, option D is not the most appropriate action in this scenario.
In summary, the nurse should focus on timely administration of the mixed insulin to ensure optimal therapeutic effect and patient safety. Administering within 20 minutes helps align the peak action of the short-acting insulin with the onset of meals, which is crucial for effective glycemic control.