Insulin Administration Flashcards
syringe size for less than 30 units
0.3 mL
syringe size for 30-50 units
0.5 mL
syringe size for 51-100 units
1 mL
higher the gauge, the _______ the needle
thinner
Shorter needles & higher-gauge needles cause less pain.
The shortest needles are…
4 mm and 5 mm
do not require skin to be pinched during admin
Insulins that can be mixed in same syringe
rapid-acting, short-acting (NOT concentrated regular insulin), intermediate acting
(NOT long-acting)
Order of mixing insulin
Clear (rapid- or short-acting) before cloudy (intermediate)
ICR formula for regular insulin
450 / TDD = grams carbs covered by 1 unit regular insulin
ICR formula for rapid insulin
500 / TDD = grams carbs covered by 1 unit rapid-acting insulin
correction factor formula for regular insulin
1500 / TDD = correction factor for 1 unit regular insulin
correction factor formula for rapid insulin
1800 / TDD = correction factor for 1 unit rapid-acting insulin
When is insulin conversion NOT 1:1?
Exception #1: NPH dosed BID -> insulin glargine (i.e., Lantus, Toujeo) dosed daily
- Use 80% of total daily NPH dose
Exception #2: Toujeo -> insulin glargine (i.e., Lantus, Basaglar) or insulin detemir (i.e., Levemir)
- Use 80% of Toujeo dose
correction dose formula
(BG now) - (target BG)/correction factor
All pens contain 3 mL of insulin, except…
Toujeo, which is available in two sizes: 1.5 mL and 3 mL
concentrated insulin that comes in both a pen and a vial
regular insulin U-500 - highest risk
Unused insulin vials, pens, & cartridges are stored…
in the refrigerator
- expiration date of insulin that has been stored in the refrigerator is the mfr’s expiration date on the label
Once insulin is in use, can be kept at room temp but mfr expiration date no longer applies
How long are Humalog Mix 50/50 and 75/25 pens stable at room temp?
10 days
How long are Humulin N pens and Novolog Mix 70/30 pens stable at room temp?
14 days
How long are Apidra, Humalog, Novolog, Admelog, Lyumjev, Fiasp vials & pens stable at room temp?
28 days
How long are Humalog Mix 75/25 vials & Novolog Mix 70/30 vials stable at room temp?
28 days
How long are Novolin R U-100, N, & 70/30 pens stable at room temp?
28 days
How long is the Humulin R U-500 pen stable at room temp?
28 days
How long are Lantus, Basaglar, & Semglee vials and pens stable at room temp?
28 days
How long are Humulin R U-100, N, & 70/30 vials stable at room temp?
31 days
How long is a Humulin R U-500 vial stable at room temp?
40 days
How long are Humulin R U-100, N, & 70/30 vials stable for at room temp?
42 days
How long is the Tresiba pen stable for at room temp?
56 days
How long is the Toujeo pen stable for at room temp?
56 days
What color are U-500 vials & syringes?
dark green
What color are U-100 syringe caps?
orange
