A nurse is planning to administer insulin to a client who has type 1 diabetes mellitus, what action should the nurse perform first?

A. Check the blood product's compatibility with the client's blood type: Before administering packed red blood cells (RBCs) or any blood product, it is crucial to ensure that the blood product matches the client's blood type and is compatible. This is done to prevent transfusion reactions and ensure safe administration.

B. Prime the client's primary IV tubing with lactated Ringer's: While it is important to prime the IV tubing with an appropriate solution before starting the transfusion, this action does not directly indicate prior to the start of the infusion.

C. Check that the client has a small gauge IV catheter in place: Having an appropriate size and functioning IV catheter in place is important for administering blood products, but this action does not specifically indicate prior to the start of the infusion.

D. Confirm the identity of the client with the blood bank technician: Confirming the client's identity is an essential step in ensuring that the correct blood product is administered to the correct client. However, this action is typically done before the blood product is prepared and delivered to the client's location, rather than immediately before starting the infusion.

A. Administer the client's insulin dose using a tuberculin syringe:

While using an appropriate syringe for insulin administration is important, ensuring the accuracy of the dosage precedes the actual administration. Therefore, verifying the dose takes precedence over selecting the syringe.

B. Use a filter needle when withdrawing medication from the multidose vial:

While using a filter needle can be beneficial to prevent contamination, ensuring the correct dosage is more critical in preventing adverse effects associated with incorrect insulin administration.

C. Verify the dose of insulin with another nurse once it is prepared.

Before administering insulin to a client with type 1 diabetes, it is essential to ensure accuracy in dosage. Verifying the dose with another nurse helps minimize the risk of errors, ensuring the client receives the correct amount of insulin. This step aligns with the principle of double-checking medications for safety, especially in critical situations like insulin administration.

D. Mix the client's long-acting and rapid-acting insulin dose in one syringe:

Mixing different types of insulin in one syringe is not standard practice unless specifically instructed by a healthcare provider. This step should be performed only if explicitly ordered an