A primary healthcare provider prescribes 14 units of insulin to a client.
What should a nurse do while administering this medication to the client?
Administer 14 units of medication SubQ in a U-100 syringe
Administer 14 units of medication SubQ in two divided doses in a U-100 syringe
Administer 14 units of medication SubQ in one dose in a tuberculin syringe
Administer 14 units of medication SubQ in the morning after breakfast in a tuberculin syringe
The Correct Answer is A
Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels. It is usually injected into the fat layer just under the skin (subcutaneous or SubQ) using a syringe and needle or a pen-like device². Insulin syringes are marked in units of insulin, not milliliters or cubic centimeters. The most common insulin syringe holds 1 mL of fluid and has markings for 100 units of insulin². A U-100 syringe means that for every 1 mL of fluid, there are 100 units of insulin³.
To administer 14 units of insulin, you would need to draw up 0.14 mL of fluid in a U-100 syringe. You would inject the insulin into your abdomen, upper arm, butocks, hip, or the front or side of the thigh¹. You would use a different area within the site each time you inject insulin to prevent lumps, swelling, or thickened skin¹.
The other options are incorrect because:
b) There is no need to divide the dose into two injections. This would increase the risk of infection and pain.
c) A tuberculin syringe is not designed for insulin administration. It is marked in milliliters or cubic centimeters, not units of insulin. Using a tuberculin syringe could result in an incorrect dose of insulin.
d) The timing of insulin administration depends on the type and duration of insulin. Some insulins are taken before meals, some are taken after meals, and some are taken once or twice a day. The primary healthcare provider should specify when to take the insulin.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A lozenge is a type of medication that is designed to dissolve slowly in the mouth, usually to treat sore throat, cough, or oral infections. It should not be divided or crushed for administration because it may alter its effectiveness, taste, or absorption. It should also not be swallowed whole because it may cause choking or irritation.
A capsule is a type of medication that consists of a gelatin shell enclosing a powder or liquid. It can be opened and sprinkled on soft food or mixed with water for administration unless it is an extended-release or enteric-coated capsule.
A scored tablet is a type of medication that has a groove or indentation on its surface to facilitate breaking into equal halves or quarters. It can be divided along the score line for administration unless it is an extended-release or enteric-coated tablet.
An unscored tablet is a type of medication that does not have a groove or indentation on its surface. It can be crushed or cut into smaller pieces for administration unless it is an extended-release or enteric-coated tablet.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
To answer this question, we need to calculate the infusion rate in mL per hour by using the following formula²:
Infusion rate (mL/h) = Dose (mcg/kg/min) × Weight (kg) × 60 min/h × Volume (mL) / Concentration (mcg/mL)
In this case, the infusion rate is:
Infusion rate (mL/h) = 3 mcg/kg/min × 70 kg × 60 min/h × 250 mL / 2500 mg
We need to convert lb to kg by dividing by 2.2
Infusion rate (mL/h) = 3 mcg/kg/min × (154 lb / 2.2 kg/lb) × 60 min/h × 250 mL / 2500 mg
We need to convert mg to mcg by multiplying by 1000:
Infusion rte (mL/h) = 3 mcg/kg/min × (154 lb / 2.2 kg/lb) × 60 min/h × 250 mL / (2500 mg × 1000 mcg/mg)
We can simplify the equation by canceling out some units and numbers:
Infusion rate (mL/h) = 3 × 154 × 250 / (2.2 × 2500 × 1000)
We can use a calculator to get the final answer:
Infusion rate (mL/h) = 12.6363636363636 mL/h
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