A newly diagnosed client with type I diabetes was admitted to the ICU with the diagnosis of diabetic ketoacidosis.
After being transferred to the med/surg unit, he asks if he can receive today’s NPH and regular insulin the same way to avoid being “stuck” since there is still an IV access.
Which information should be included in the nurse’s response?
Only regular insulin may be given IV and you will now receive your insulins subcutaneously as ordered
Mixing these two insulins may increase their potency and increase the risk of hypoglycemia
These two insulins are not compatible and cannot be mixed together
NPH Insulin can only be given IV in the ICU environment as an insulin drip
The Correct Answer is A
Rationale for A:
Regular insulin is the only insulin formulation that can be safely administered intravenously. It is a rapid-acting insulin that starts working within 15 minutes and peaks in 1-2 hours, making it ideal for urgent glucose control in situations like diabetic ketoacidosis.
NPH insulin is an intermediate-acting insulin that is not suitable for IV administration. It is designed to be absorbed slowly over several hours, and injecting it intravenously could lead to unpredictable and potentially dangerous fluctuations in blood glucose levels.
Subcutaneous (SQ) injection is the standard route of administration for both regular and NPH insulin outside of acute care settings. This route allows for a more gradual and consistent absorption of insulin, which is essential for maintaining stable blood glucose control.
The patient's transfer to the med/surg unit indicates that their condition has stabilized and no longer requires the aggressive glucose control that is achieved with an IV insulin infusion. Therefore, it is appropriate to transition them to SQ insulin injections.
Rationale for B:
While mixing insulins can potentially alter their absorption rates and action profiles, the primary concern with mixing NPH and regular insulin is not an increased risk of hypoglycemia. It is the incompatibility of the formulations for IV administration.
Rationale for C:
NPH and regular insulin can be mixed together for subcutaneous injection, but they are not compatible for intravenous administration.
Rationale for D:
While NPH insulin can be administered as part of an IV insulin drip in the ICU, this is typically done in specific situations where a continuous infusion of both rapid-acting and intermediate-acting insulin is required. It is not the standard practice for NPH insulin administration.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
It is not recommended to take levothyroxine with food as it can interfere with its absorption.
Food, particularly those containing calcium or iron, can bind to levothyroxine in the gastrointestinal tract, reducing the amount of medication that is absorbed into the bloodstream.
This can lead to decreased effectiveness of the medication.
It's generally advised to take levothyroxine on an empty stomach, at least 30-60 minutes before breakfast, to ensure optimal absorption.
Choice B rationale:
Taking levothyroxine first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach, is the most effective way to ensure its absorption and consistent hormone levels throughout the day.
This aligns with the body's natural rhythm of thyroid hormone production, which typically peaks in the morning hours.
Taking the medication consistently at the same time each day helps maintain stable thyroid hormone levels, which is crucial for managing hypothyroidism effectively.
Choice C rationale:
Relief of symptoms with levothyroxine therapy often takes several weeks, not just one week.
It takes time for the body to adjust to the medication and for thyroid hormone levels to reach a therapeutic range.
Patients should be counseled to have patience and continue taking the medication as prescribed, even if they don't experience immediate symptom relief.
They should also be monitored regularly by their healthcare provider to assess their response to treatment and make any necessary adjustments to the dosage.
Choice D rationale:
Doubling the dose of levothyroxine without consulting a healthcare provider is dangerous and can lead to serious health consequences.
Overdosing on levothyroxine can cause hyperthyroidism, which can manifest as rapid heart rate, anxiety, tremors, weight loss, and other health problems.
It's essential to follow the prescribed dosage and not make any changes without the guidance of a healthcare professional.
Correct Answer is ["A","C"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Insulin glargine (Lantus) is a long-acting insulin analog that is designed to provide a steady, basal level of insulin throughout the day.
It has a duration of action of approximately 24 hours, so it is typically administered once daily at bedtime.
This helps to control blood glucose levels overnight and during the early morning hours, when the risk of hypoglycemia is highest.
Key characteristics of Insulin Glargine (Lantus):
Onset: 1-2 hours
Peak: No pronounced peak Duration: Approximately 24 hours
Administration: Once daily at bedtime
Choice B rationale:
Lispro (Humalog) is a rapid-acting insulin analog that is designed to be taken with meals to help control blood glucose spikes after eating.
It has a onset of action of approximately 15 minutes and a duration of action of 2-4 hours.
Because of its rapid onset and short duration of action, lispro is not typically used as a basal insulin. Key characteristics of Lispro (Humalog):
Onset: 15 minutes
Peak: 30-90 minutes
Duration: 2-4 hours
Administration: With meals
Choice C rationale:
Insulin detemir (Levemir) is another long-acting insulin analog that is similar to insulin glargine in terms of its duration of action.
It is typically administered once daily at bedtime to provide basal insulin coverage. Key characteristics of Insulin Detemir (Levemir):
Onset: 1-2 hours
Peak: No pronounced peak
Duration: Approximately 18-24 hours Administration: Once daily at bedtime Question 23.
The nurse receives an order for insulin: NPH (Humulin NPH) 10 units to be administered intravenously daily at 7:00am.
What action should the nurse take?
A. Administer the dose but ensure that if mixed with another Humulin-R insulin, to draw the regular insulin up first.
B. Give the drug subcutaneously rather than IV
C. Review the insulin order with the prescriber and pharmacy.
D. Administer the insulin ordered mixed in 50 ML of 0.9%NS IV Piggyback (not to infuse faster than 1/2 hour or 30 minutes).
The correct answer is C. Review the insulin order with the prescriber and pharmacy.
Rationale for Choice A:
Intravenous administration of NPH insulin is not recommended. It is an intermediate-acting insulin that is designed to be absorbed slowly from the subcutaneous tissue. IV administration can lead to rapid and unpredictable changes in blood glucose levels, which can be dangerous.
Mixing NPH insulin with regular insulin does not change the route of administration. Both insulins should still be given subcutaneously.
Rationale for Choice B:
Subcutaneous administration of NPH insulin is the correct route. This allows for slow and steady absorption of the insulin, which helps to prevent blood glucose fluctuations.
However, the nurse should still clarify the order with the prescriber and pharmacy. This is because IV insulin orders are unusual and may be a mistake.
Rationale for Choice D:
Adding NPH insulin to a 50 mL IV piggyback is not a safe practice. This would dilute the insulin and make it even more difficult to control the rate of infusion.
IV insulin infusions are typically administered using a dedicated insulin pump. This allows for precise control of the infusion rate and helps to prevent hypoglycemia.
Rationale for Choice C:
Reviewing the insulin order with the prescriber and pharmacy is the safest course of action. This will help to ensure that the order is correct and that the insulin is administered safely.
The prescriber may have meant to order regular insulin instead of NPH insulin. Regular insulin can be given intravenously, but it requires careful monitoring of blood glucose levels.
The pharmacy can also double-check the order and ensure that the correct insulin is dispensed.
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