Insulin

Question 1

insulin aspart

NovoLog

Answer 1

Side effects: hypoglycemia, lipodystrophy, hypokalemia, allergic reactions, HA, edema, blurred vision, flushing
Nursing considerations:
- The only insulin analog approved for use in an external pump system for continuous subQ insulin infusion
- Onset: 15-30 minutes, peak 1-3 hours, duration 3-5 hours
- May be administered IV in emergency situations under medical supervision with close blood-glucose monitoring
- Provide a meal (within 5-10 min) following the injection

Question 2

insulin glargine

Lantus

Answer 2

Side effects: hypoglycemia, lipodystrophy, allergic reactions, HA, edema, blurred vision, flushing, hypokalemia
Nursing considerations:
- Onset 4-6 hours, no pronounced peak, duration 24 hours
- Must inject at same time each day
- Not the drug of choice for diabetic ketoacidosis (use a short-acting insulin)
- Higher incidence of injection site pain compared with NPH insulin
- Monitor blood glucose
- Do not adminsiter IV or via insulin pump
- Do not mix with any other insulin

Question 3

Insulin-Isophane Suspension

Humulin N, Novolin N

Answer 3

Side effects: hypoglycemia, lipodystrophy, hypokalemia, allergic reactions, HA, edema, blurred vision, flushing
Nursing considerations:
- Comes in 100 units per ml vial, as well as in combnation with regular insulin in a 50/50 proportion and 75/25 proportion
- SubQ: onset 1-2 hours, peak 4-12 hours, duration 16 hours
- Read administration insturctions carefully
- Do not give IV
- Monitor blood glucose

Question 4

insulin lispro (Humalog)

Answer 4

Side effects: hypoglycemia, lipodystrophy, hypokalemia, allergic reactions, HA, edema, blurred vision
Nursing considerations:
- Take within 15 minutes of eating and immediately after mixing with combinied therapy
- May be used in chidlren in combination with sulfonylureas
- Onsetn 15-30 min, peak 30-90 min, duration 3-5 hours
- May be used in an external insulin pump
- Monitor blood glucose
- May be adminsitered IV in ER
- Available in combinaiton with other insulin
- Do not mix with other insulin

Question 5

insulin regular

Humulin R

Answer 5

Side effects: hypoglycemia, lipodystrophy, hypokalemia, allergic reactions, HA, edema, blurred vision, flushing
Nursing considerations:
- Comes in 100 units/ml vial
- Only insulin that can be given IV in non-emergency situation
- SubQ: onset 15-30 min, peak 30-90 min, duration 3-5 hours
- IV: onset 10-30 min, peka 10-30 min, duration 30-60 min
- May be mixed with NPH only in same syringe, draw regular insulin first
Do not use in insulin pumps
Monitor blood glucose
Do not rub site after subQ injection