Question

The nurse is caring for a client who is receiving regular insulin supplied in a glass vial. Which step(s) should the nurse take to ensure the correct administration of the insulin? Select all that apply.

The nurse should rub the injection site after administering the insulin.

The nurse should shake the insulin vial before drawing up the insulin.

The nurse should only use an insulin syringe to administer insulin.

The nurse should check the strength of the insulin before administering it.

The nurse should store opened vials of insulin at room temperature

The nurse should store unopened vials of insulin in the freezer.

The nurse should discard the vial 28 days after it was opened.

Answer 1

To correctly administer insulin, a nurse should use an insulin syringe, check insulin strength, store opened insulin at room temperature, and discard the vial after 28 days. Shaking the vial, rubbing the site after injection, and freezing insulin are incorrect practices.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse must ensure the correct administration of insulin by following several important steps, but not all the actions listed are recommended or appropriate. To ensure the correct administration of insulin, the nurse should adhere to the following:

• The nurse should only use an insulin syringe to administer insulin for accuracy in dosing.
• The nurse should check the strength of the insulin before administering it to ensure the correct dosage is given.
• The nurse should store opened vials of insulin at room temperature to preserve potency, unless the manufacturer's instructions indicate otherwise.
• The nurse should discard the vial 28 days after it was opened to prevent using insulin that may have lost its effectiveness.

However, some steps are not recommended or are incorrect:

• The nurse should not rub the injection site after administering the insulin as this can affect absorption rates.
• The nurse should not shake the insulin vial before drawing up the insulin because this could create air bubbles and affect the dose.
• Insulin should not be stored in the freezer as it can lose effectiveness when frozen.

Additionally, understanding that insulin injections allow the transport and storage of glucose to decrease blood glucose levels after consuming a meal is important, as this is the primary action of insulin in managing diabetes.