Question

Calculate the dosage of insulin where necessary, and shade the dosage on the syringe provided. Labels have been provided for some problems. Order: Humalog U-100 15 units subcut daily at 7: 30 AM.

Short answer

Draw and shade up to the 15-unit mark on a U-100 syringe.

Step-by-step solution

Understand The Order

The doctor's order is for Humalog U-100 insulin. It specifies that the patient should receive a dose of 15 units subcutaneously every day at 7:30 AM.

Identify The Syringe Type

U-100 insulin indicates that there are 100 units of insulin per ml. A U-100 insulin syringe is divided into increments of 1 unit, which is suitable for accurately measuring small doses like 15 units.

Measure The Correct Dosage

With a U-100 syringe, you need to draw the insulin up to the 15-unit mark. This accurately reflects the 15-unit dose prescribed in the order.

Shade The Dosage on the Syringe

On the provided syringe diagram, shade the area up to the 15-unit mark to visually represent the correct dose of insulin that needs to be administered as per the order.

Key concepts

syringe labeling

When administering medication like insulin, correctly reading and understanding the syringe labeling is crucial. Syringe labeling provides important information that ensures proper dosage and patient safety. For insulin, syringes are often labeled for U-100 insulin, marking increments that relate directly to the insulin concentration.

• Each mark on a U-100 insulin syringe represents 1 unit of insulin. This makes it easy for healthcare providers to measure dosages quickly and accurately without complex calculations.
• Careful attention to the syringe labeling can prevent overdosing or underdosing, which can lead to significant health complications.
• Understanding how to read and use syringe markings can also empower patients to manage their own diabetes care effectively.

Being familiar with syringe labeling ensures that both healthcare providers and patients administer the right amount of medication each time.

subcutaneous injection

A subcutaneous injection involves delivering medication into the fatty tissue just beneath the skin. This method is often chosen for insulin administration because it allows for slow, steady absorption of hormones like insulin into the bloodstream. Here's how it works:

• The thin needle of the syringe is used to pierce the skin at a 45 to 90-degree angle, depending on the amount of subcutaneous fat the patient has.
• This type of injection is typically administered in places with adequate fat, such as the abdomen, outer thigh, or back of the upper arm. Rotating injection sites can help prevent scar tissue formation and improve insulin absorption.
• Subcutaneous injections are ideal for insulin as they ensure a consistent release of the medication, maintaining stable blood glucose levels.

Understanding the proper technique and suitable locations for subcutaneous injections can enhance the effectiveness of insulin therapy and minimize discomfort or complications for the patient.

U-100 insulin

U-100 insulin is a standardized concentration of insulin, meaning that each milliliter (ml) of the solution contains 100 units of insulin. This concentration is commonly used for therapeutic insulin delivery.

• Using U-100 insulin allows for precise and consistent dosing, since healthcare providers can easily compute the required dose by counting units rather than recalculating for different concentrations.
• The standardization of U-100 also means that patients and caregivers can become familiar with one type of insulin concentration, reducing the risk of administering the wrong dose.
• Insulin pens and syringes are usually calibrated for U-100 insulin, enhancing the convenience and accuracy of insulin administration.

Patients often rely on U-100 to manage diabetes effectively, as it provides the necessary precision in dosing to maintain balanced blood sugar levels. Understanding how U-100 insulin is formulated and measured can help ensure proper management of diabetes and prevent mistakes in dosing.