Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies Q 102
A male client with type 1 diabetes is scheduled to receive 30 U of 70/30 insulin. There is no 70/30 insulin available. As a substitution, the nurse may give the client:
A. 9 U regular insulin and 21 U neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH).
B. 21 U regular insulin and 9 U NPH.
C. 10 U regular insulin and 20 U NPH.
D. 20 U regular insulin and 10 U NPH.
Correct Answer: A. 9 U regular insulin and 21 U neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH).
A 70/30 insulin preparation is 70% NPH and 30% regular insulin. Therefore, a correct substitution requires mixing 21 U of NPH and 9 U of regular insulin.
Option B: Using this dosage would be incorrect and may produce no effect on the client’s blood sugar level.
Option C: This is an incorrect insulin dose. Incorrect administration can result in transient and serious hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, wide glycemic excursions, and diabetic ketoacidosis.
Option D: This is an incorrect dosage for the prescribed insulin. Glycemic control is poorer in those who lacked confidence in their ability to choose correct doses.