Insulin Syringes

• Marked in units– Measures units of insulin not

volume of solution• 100 unit capacity• 50 unit capacity• 30 unit capacity

• Calibrated in 1- or 2-unit increments

Insulin Syringes (cont.)

Rule 18-1Rule 18-1For more accurate measurements use:– a 50-unit capacity insulin

syringe for insulin doses less than 50 units

– a 30-unit capacity insulin syringe for doses less than 30 units

Ordered: Humulin N 66 units

Use a 100-unit capacity syringe.

Ordered: Humulin R 8 units

Use a 30-unit capacity syringe.

Insulin Syringes (cont.)

ExampleExample

Insulin Syringes (cont.)

• U-500 insulin– For insulin-resistant patients– For patients who need high doses to maintain

normal blood sugar

Insulin Syringes (cont.)

Rule 18-2 Rule 18-2 If the order is for U-500 insulin, use a tuberculin syringe.

Calculate the amount to administer in milliliters.

Insulin Syringes (cont.)

Determine amount of insulin to give.

Ordered: Humulin R U-500 insulin, 120 units

Amount to administer = 0.24 mLUse a tuberculin syringe.

ExampleExample

Patient Education: MEASURING A SINGLE INSULIN DOSE

1. Always wash hands before handling insulin and syringes.

2. If you are using a basal or mixed insulin, roll the vial between your palms to mix the insulin until all of the insulin looks cloudy.

Patient Education: MEASURING A SINGLE INSULIN DOSE (cont.)

3. Cleanse the rubber stopper of the vial with an alcohol wipe, using a circular motion.

Start at the center of the circleand work outward.

Patient Education: MEASURING A SINGLE INSULIN DOSE (cont.)

4. Draw up an amount of air equal to your insulin dose in the syringe.

Pull back the plunger until the leading ring is aligned with the correct marking on the syringe.

Patient Education: MEASURING A SINGLE INSULIN DOSE (cont.)

5. Inject the air into the insulin vial.

6. Keep the needle inserted through the stopper and turn the vial upside down.

Draw up your ordered dose of insulin.

Patient Education: MEASURING A SINGLE INSULIN DOSE (cont.)

7. Avoid touching the needle during the procedure.

11

Practice

True/False

Onset is the time when insulin begins to lower the glucose level.

Duration is measured from the time the insulin dose was administered.

When mixing insulins, draw up the cloudy before the clear.

Insulin is administered using special syringes marked in units.

F

F

T

T

From the time of onset

Clear then cloudy