A nurse is mixing a short-acting insulin and an intermediate-acting insulin in the same syringe for a client who has diabetes mellitus.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Draw the intermediate-acting insulin into the syringe.
Draw the short-acting insulin into the syringe.
Inject air into the intermediate-acting insulin vial.
Inject air into the short-acting insulin vial.
The Correct Answer is C
A. When mixing insulins, you should draw the short-acting insulin into the syringe first. This is done after injecting air into both vials (first into intermediate-acting, then into short-acting). Drawing intermediate-acting insulin first can contaminate the short-acting insulin vial with the longer-acting solution, which could alter the effectiveness of future doses.
B. Although this step is required when mixing insulins, it is not the first step. The nurse should first inject air into both vials to maintain vial pressure.
C. The nurse should inject air into the intermediate-acting insulin vial first because it helps prevent contamination and maintains the correct pressure within the vial. Intermediate-acting insulin, typically NPH (Neutral Protamine Hagedorn), is cloudy, and air injection into the vial allows for easy withdrawal later on without disrupting the order of mixing.
D. Injecting air into the short-acting insulin vial is necessary but should be done after injecting air into the intermediate-acting vial. By injecting air into both vials first, the nurse prevents a vacuum effect, which can make it difficult to draw up the insulin. After injecting air, the nurse can draw the short-acting insulin into the syringe before moving to the intermediate-acting insulin. This order minimizes the risk of contamination.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
It is recommended that IVs are placed in the arm on the opposite side of your surgery, if possible.
Choice A is wrong because it involves placing the IV catheter on the same side as the mastectomy.
Choice C is wrong because it involves placing the IV catheter on the same side as the mastectomy.
Choice D is wrong because it involves placing the IV catheter on a vein that is not commonly used for IV therapy.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The nurse should use the abbreviation “BRP” for bathroom privileges.
This is a commonly accepted abbreviation in the medical field and is used to indicate that a client has permission to use the bathroom.
Choice A is not the correct answer because “SC” is not a commonly accepted abbreviation for subcutaneous.
Instead, “SQ” or “SubQ” are more commonly used.
Choice B is not the correct answer because “SS” is not a commonly accepted abbreviation for sliding scale.
Instead, “Sliding Scale” should be written out in full to avoid confusion.
Choice D is not the correct answer because “OJ” is not a commonly accepted medical abbreviation for orange juice.
Instead, “orange juice” should be written out in full to avoid confusion.
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