PreOp Patient Education
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Audio Presentation

Mixing Insulin


Care Task
  Care Task
  Print Out
This information is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. MedSelfEd, Inc. disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.
Your doctor or diabetes educator may ask you to mix a short-acting or clear insulin
Your doctor or diabetes educator may ask you to mix a short-acting or clear insulin
with an intermediate or long acting cloudy insulin in the same syringe so that both can be given at the same time.
with an intermediate or long acting cloudy insulin in the same syringe so that both can be given at the same time.
<UL><LI>The only insulin that cannot be mixed is insulin glargine.</LI></UL>
  • The only insulin that cannot be mixed is insulin glargine.
<UL><LI>In this example, the doctor has asked you to mix 10 units of regular, clear, insulin with 15 units of NPH cloudy insulin, to a total combined dose of 25 units.</LI></UL>
  • In this example, the doctor has asked you to mix 10 units of regular, clear, insulin with 15 units of NPH cloudy insulin, to a total combined dose of 25 units.
<UL><LI>Always, draw ">
  • Always, draw "clear before cloudy" insulin into the syringe. This is to prevent cloudy insulin from entering the clear insulin bottle.
<UL><LI>Always do this procedure in the correct order, as shown in the following sequence.</LI></UL>
  • Always do this procedure in the correct order, as shown in the following sequence.
Roll the bottle of the cloudy insulin between your hands to mix it.
Roll the bottle of the cloudy insulin between your hands to mix it.
Clean both bottle tops with an alcohol wipe.
Clean both bottle tops with an alcohol wipe.
Pull back the plunger of the syringe to the dose of the long-acting (cloudy) insulin ...
Pull back the plunger of the syringe to the dose of the long-acting (cloudy) insulin ...
... in this example 15 units. You now have 15 units of air in the syringe.
... in this example 15 units. You now have 15 units of air in the syringe.
Check the insulin bottle to ensure you have the correct cloudy type of insulin.
Check the insulin bottle to ensure you have the correct cloudy type of insulin.
With the insulin bottle held firmly on a counter or tabletop, insert the needle through the rubber cap into the bottle.
With the insulin bottle held firmly on a counter or tabletop, insert the needle through the rubber cap into the bottle.
Push the plunger down so that the air goes from the syringe into the bottle. Remove the needle and syringe. This primes the bottle for when you withdraw the insulin later.
Push the plunger down so that the air goes from the syringe into the bottle. Remove the needle and syringe. This primes the bottle for when you withdraw the insulin later.
Pull back the plunger of the syringe to the dose of the shorter acting clear insulin ...
Pull back the plunger of the syringe to the dose of the shorter acting clear insulin ...
... in this example 10 units. You now have 10 units of air in the syringe.
... in this example 10 units. You now have 10 units of air in the syringe.
Check the insulin bottle to ensure you have the correct clear type of insulin.
Check the insulin bottle to ensure you have the correct clear type of insulin.
With the insulin bottle held firmly on a counter or tabletop, insert the needle through the rubber cap into the bottle.
With the insulin bottle held firmly on a counter or tabletop, insert the needle through the rubber cap into the bottle.
Push the plunger down so that the air goes from the syringe into the bottle.
Push the plunger down so that the air goes from the syringe into the bottle.
Turn the bottle upside down so that the air in it goes to the top.
Turn the bottle upside down so that the air in it goes to the top.
With the tip of the needle kept in the liquid, withdraw the dose of clear insulin, in this example, 10 units.
With the tip of the needle kept in the liquid, withdraw the dose of clear insulin, in this example, 10 units.
Remove the needle and syringe.
Remove the needle and syringe.
Go back to the longer-acting, cloudy insulin bottle.
Go back to the longer-acting, cloudy insulin bottle.
Turn it upside down. Insert the needle into the liquid and slowly pull back the plunger to measure your total dose,
Turn it upside down. Insert the needle into the liquid and slowly pull back the plunger to measure your total dose,
... in this example, 25 units. You are now ready to give your injection.
... in this example, 25 units. You are now ready to give your injection.

  top of page  
 

Survey Questions

1) Did the information help to decrease any anxiety that you may have had about the procedure?
Yes, definitely.
Yes, maybe.
No, not at all.
2) Did the presentation help you understand the procedure any better?
Yes, definitely.
Yes, maybe.
No, not at all.
3) How would you rate the quality of the information?
Excellent
Very Good
Good
Fair
Poor
4) Would you recommend this program to others having the same procedure?
Yes, definitely.
Yes, probably.
No.
Thank you for taking our Survey!
Print Page

NOTE: By viewing this site you have read and agreed to the DISCLAIMER
- See legal or privacy section for your security and rights information -