Final answer:
If breakfast is delayed after a child was scheduled to receive regular and NPH insulin, the nurse should wait for the meal to arrive before administering regular insulin to avoid the risk of hypoglycemia, and if necessary, consult the doctor.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a scenario where a child has been given a combination of regular and NPH insulin but breakfast is delayed, the safest action would typically be to wait for the breakfast trays to arrive before administering the regular insulin. This is because regular insulin has a faster onset of action and is often taken to cover the blood glucose rise anticipated from a meal. If the meal is delayed, the risk of hypoglycemia increases because there is no food to counteract the insulin's effect on lowering blood sugar levels. NPH insulin has a longer onset and would not typically result in immediate hypoglycemia but it is generally not administered on its own for meal coverage. The nurse should monitor the child's blood glucose levels during this time. If there is significant delay or if there is any concern, consulting the doctor for further management is advisable.