Injectable medication

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."

The nurse is teaching a client with diabetes to withdraw insulin from a vial when the client and the client asks why it is recommended to recap the needle after withdrawing the medication. What is the best response by the nurse?

"Recapping the needle maintains sterility of the needle before injecting."

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.

The nurse is preparing a medication from a vial and contaminates the plunger after the medication is drawn into the syringe. What should the nurse do next?

Administer the medication as prescribed

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 a medication form a vial and notices that a piece of the self-sealing stopper is floating in the medication in the syringe. What should the nurse do next?

Obtain a new vial, syringe and needle and start over

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.

What will the nurse do with the filter needle after withdrawing medication from an ampule?

Remove the filter needle and attach the administration needle.

The nurse is withdrawing insulin from a vial to prepare an injection for a client. After removing the metal cap on the vial, what would be the nurse's next step in the procedure?

Swab the rubber top with an antimicrobial swab and allow it to dry.

What is the best way for the nurse to remove air bubbles from the syringe after drawing up medication from an ampule?

Withdraw the needle from the ampule, tap the syringe, and push on the plunger.

What is the best method for opening an ampule of morphine for a prescribed IV push?

Wrap a small gauze pad around the neck and use a snapping motion to break the top at the scored line in the neck.

A nurse is preparing a medication from a glass ampule. After breaking the ampule, the nurse notes blood on the gauze pad. What should the nurse do first?

discard the ampule and medication

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

dose, route, and time administered

How much air does the nurse inject into a vial prior to withdrawing the medication?

equal to the amount of the medication dosage

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 actions assist to protect the client from infection when mixing medications from two vials in one syringe?

touching the plunger of the syringe only at the knob

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

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

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