Quiz: Mixing Medications From Two Vials in One Syringe

The nurse is teaching a client to self-administer prescribed 15 units NPH insulin and 10 units regular insulin with breakfast. Which statement made by the client indicates a need for further teaching?

"If I withdraw more than 25 units into the syringe, it is okay for me to replace the medication in the vial and start again."

What is the correct procedure for preparing an insulin injection for a client who requires two types of insulin?

Check the drug administration book for insulin compatibility.

The nurse is preparing to administer two types of insulin by mixing in one syringe. What is the first action by the nurse?

Determine compatibility of the insulins by checking a drug compatibility table.

The nurse is preparing to administer NPH insulin 10 units and regular insulin 5 units by mixing in the same syringe. What is the best way to prevent contamination of the regular insulin with the NPH insulin?

Inject 10 units of air into the space above the NPH insulin followed by injecting 5 units of air into the space above the regular insulin.

A nurse is mixing two different types of insulin in one syringe. What is the next step after drawing the first insulin dose into the syringe?

Perform the third check by rechecking the medication label with the medication administration record.

Which is most important to document when mixing medications from two vials in one syringe?

Time of administration

A nurse is preparing the prescribed NPH insulin (isophane insulin suspension) 15 units and regular insulin 5 units in one syringe for subcutaneous administration. Which action by the nurse is correct?

injecting 15 units of air into the NPH insulin vial; then injecting 5 units of air into the regular insulin vial

What are important actions by the nurse to prevent infection when mixing two different types of insulin in the same syringe? Select all that apply.

keep multidose vials assigned to single clients, clean tops of multidose vials with alcohol before each entry, use a new sterile needle and syringe before each entry, perform hand hygiene

What actions assist to protect the client from infection when mixing medications from two vials in one syringe? Select all that apply.

touching the plunger of the syringe only at the knob

What is the best way for the nurse to hold a syringe when withdrawing 5 units from an insulin vial?

vertical and at eye level