How long is it recommended to leave the injection needle within the patient's tissue after insulin injection?

A. Proceed with the administration of the medication as the nurse has been caring for Mr. Robertson for the past two days: Prior familiarity with a patient does not replace proper identification. Administering insulin without verification of identity risks serious medication errors, including giving the wrong dose to the wrong patient.

B. Ask Mr. Robertson to state his full name, home address, phone number and date of birth: While obtaining verbal identifiers is part of patient verification, relying solely on self-report is insufficient, especially in cases of cognitive impairment or altered mental status. Two independent identifiers are required, and an armband is a primary identifier.

C. Verify with a colleague that the client is indeed Mr. Robertson: Colleague confirmation is not adequate without objective verification from a source document or armband. Peer confirmation cannot legally replace proper patient identification procedures for medication administration.

D. Return to the nursing station and have a new armband made: The correct action is to ensure the patient has an updated identification armband before administering any medication. This guarantees adherence to the “right patient” safety standard, prevents medication errors, and complies with legal and institutional policies.

A. "I must take my parenteral medication with food.": While some short-acting insulins should be administered with meals to prevent hypoglycemia, not all insulin types require this. This statement shows partial understanding but is not universally correct and requires clarification about the specific insulin regimen.

B. "I will rotate the location where I give myself injections.": Rotating injection sites prevents lipohypertrophy and ensures more consistent absorption of insulin. Correct understanding and implementation of site rotation demonstrate effective patient education and adherence to best practices for subcutaneous insulin administration.

C. "If I am 30 minutes late taking my medication, I should skip that dose.": Skipping a dose due to minor timing delays can result in hyperglycemia. Patients should follow individualized guidance regarding dose timing, and in many cases, taking the dose as soon as possible is recommended. This indicates a misunderstanding of safe insulin administration.

D. "Once I start feeling better, I will stop taking my medication.": Stopping insulin when feeling better reflects poor understanding and can lead to uncontrolled hyperglycemia or diabetic ketoacidosis. Effective education emphasizes the need for continued adherence regardless of subjective feelings of wellness.