The nurse prepares to administer a scheduled dose of labetalol by mouth to a client with hypertension. The client's vital signs are temperature 99° F (37.2° C), heart rate 48 beats/minute, respirations 16 breaths/minute, and blood pressure (B/P) 150/90 mm Hg. Which action should the nurse take?

Choice A rationale: Indicated. This is important for a client with type 1 diabetes, as counting carbohydrates helps in calculating the appropriate insulin dose and maintaining glycemic control.

Choice B rationale: Non-essential. The client is already admitted to the surgical floor and does not require restarting the IV fluids unless there is a specific medical indication.

Choice C rationale: Contraindicated. Insulin doses should be prescribed by a healthcare provider based on the patient's blood glucose levels and individual insulin requirements. The nurse should follow the prescribed insulin orders and not administer insulin without an order.

Choice D rationale: Indicated. Insulin glargine is a long-acting basal insulin used to provide a steady background insulin level throughout the day. The nurse should administer the prescribed insulin glargine dose as ordered.

Choice E rationale: Contraindicated. Insulin lispro is a rapid-acting insulin, and insulin glargine is a long-acting insulin. Mixing different types of insulin in one syringe can alter their pharmacokinetics and lead to inconsistent blood glucose control. Insulin lispro and insulin glargine should be administered separately.

Choice A rationale: This is essential to ensure that the insulin is not discolored or cloudy, as these changes could indicate a problem with the insulin's stability or effectiveness.
Choice B rationale: While it is essential to have a complete history and physical for proper patient care, double-checking this with another nurse is not necessary in the immediate administration of insulin lispro.
Choice C rationale: Double-checking the dose of insulin in the syringe is crucial to avoid medication errors and ensure that the correct amount is being administered to the patient.
Choice D rationale: The sliding scale order is not mentioned in the information provided, and since it is not part of the immediate insulin administration, it does not need to be double-checked in this context.
Choice E rationale: Checking the expiration date is necessary to ensure that the insulin is still within its usable period. Using expired insulin can lead to reduced potency and potentially ineffective blood sugar control.
Choice F rationale: The information provided in the nurse's notes does not indicate that insulin administration is due at a specific site (e.g., subcutaneous injection). Therefore, there is no need for a second nurse to double-check the site at this moment. However, it's important for the administering nurse to choose the appropriate site following the facility's guidelines and rotate injection sites to prevent lipodystrophy.

Choice G rationale: Different types of insulin come in different concentrations (e.g., U-100, U-200). It's important to confirm that the correct concentration is being used to ensure accurate dosing.
Choice H rationale: The nurse should verify that the insulin to be administered is indeed insulin lispro, as indicated in the medication order. Administering the wrong type of insulin can have significant implications for the patient's blood sugar control.