1-72. NURSING IMPLICATIONS FOR ADMINISTRATION OF INSULIN 

a. Be certain to give the correct type of insulin.

b. Prepare the correct dosage. Have another nurse double-check the dose before you administer the injection.

c. Use the correct syringe. Never use a regular syringe for insulin. Use a syringe calibrated in “units.”

d. Before drawing up the insulin, gently “roll” the bottle between your palms to mix and warm the solution.

e. Eliminate all air bubbles from the syringe. One small air bubble may displace 2 or 3 units of insulin.

f. Cleanse the skin with alcohol and allow to dry. This helps avoid pitting of the skin.

g. Give the injection subcutaneously. Rotate the injection site with each dose. (Rotating the sites prevents tissue necrosis.) Refer to figure 1-9 for injection sites.

Figure 1-9. Sites for injection
Figure 1-9. Sites for injection

h. Always check to see whether the patient is and has been eating his normal diet.

(1) Administration of the regular dosage of insulin when the patient’s intake of food has been decreased or withheld could cause the blood sugar level to drop too much.

(2) A patient who is experiencing vomiting will require adjustment of the insulin dosage.

(3) A patient who is being held NPO for procedures or tests should not receive his regular insulin dosage. This could precipitate a hypoglycemic reaction. Notify the physician for instructions. Routinely, insulin is withheld until the procedure is completed and the patient is permitted to eat.

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