The nurse has administered NPH insulin at 1700.
At what time would the nurse anticipate the peak action of this insulin?
Between 2100 and 0500
There is no peak action with neutral protamine hagedorn insulin
Between 1800 and 2100
At 1930
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale:
NPH insulin is an intermediate-acting insulin that typically peaks 6-12 hours after administration.
Given that the insulin was administered at 1700 (5:00 PM), the peak action would be expected to occur between 2100 (9:00 PM) and 0500 (5:00 AM).
This time frame aligns with the known pharmacokinetics of NPH insulin.
It's crucial for nurses to be aware of the peak action times of different insulin types to effectively manage blood glucose levels and adjust insulin doses accordingly.
Choice B rationale:
Incorrect. NPH insulin does have a peak action, as explained above.
It's important to understand that even intermediate-acting insulins have a period of peak activity when they exert their strongest glucose-lowering effect.
Choice C rationale:
Incorrect. This time frame is too early to represent the peak action of NPH insulin. The peak action typically occurs later, between 6-12 hours after administration.
Choice D rationale:
Incorrect. This time point is too specific to accurately represent the peak action of NPH insulin.
The peak action can vary within the 6-12 hour window, depending on individual factors and injection site.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Albuterol (Proventil) is a bronchodilator that is used to treat acute asthma attacks and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It works by relaxing the smooth muscles in the airways, which allows more air to flow into the lungs. While albuterol can be helpful in relieving shortness of breath, it is not the first-line treatment for a patient with chest pain and low oxygen saturation. This is because albuterol does not address the underlying cause of the chest pain, which is likely a lack of oxygen to the heart muscle.
Choice C rationale:
Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator that is used to treat angina (chest pain) and heart failure. It works by relaxing the blood vessels, which allows more blood to flow to the heart. Nitroglycerin can be helpful in relieving chest pain, but it is not the first-line treatment for a patient with low oxygen saturation. This is because nitroglycerin can actually worsen hypoxemia (low oxygen levels in the blood) by dilating blood vessels in the lungs.
Choice D rationale:
Aspirin is a blood thinner that is used to prevent and treat blood clots. It is often given to patients with chest pain who are suspected of having a heart attack. However, aspirin is not the first-line treatment for a patient with low oxygen saturation. This is because aspirin does not address the underlying cause of the low oxygen saturation, which is likely a problem with the lungs or heart.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Rationale for A:
Regular insulin is the only insulin formulation that can be safely administered intravenously. It is a rapid-acting insulin that starts working within 15 minutes and peaks in 1-2 hours, making it ideal for urgent glucose control in situations like diabetic ketoacidosis.
NPH insulin is an intermediate-acting insulin that is not suitable for IV administration. It is designed to be absorbed slowly over several hours, and injecting it intravenously could lead to unpredictable and potentially dangerous fluctuations in blood glucose levels.
Subcutaneous (SQ) injection is the standard route of administration for both regular and NPH insulin outside of acute care settings. This route allows for a more gradual and consistent absorption of insulin, which is essential for maintaining stable blood glucose control.
The patient's transfer to the med/surg unit indicates that their condition has stabilized and no longer requires the aggressive glucose control that is achieved with an IV insulin infusion. Therefore, it is appropriate to transition them to SQ insulin injections.
Rationale for B:
While mixing insulins can potentially alter their absorption rates and action profiles, the primary concern with mixing NPH and regular insulin is not an increased risk of hypoglycemia. It is the incompatibility of the formulations for IV administration.
Rationale for C:
NPH and regular insulin can be mixed together for subcutaneous injection, but they are not compatible for intravenous administration.
Rationale for D:
While NPH insulin can be administered as part of an IV insulin drip in the ICU, this is typically done in specific situations where a continuous infusion of both rapid-acting and intermediate-acting insulin is required. It is not the standard practice for NPH insulin administration.
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