Final answer:
Insulin lispro should be injected 15 minutes before meals, injection sites should be rotated within the same region, and regular dosing must be maintained, even if meals are skipped. It should not be mixed with long-acting insulin, and consistent blood sugar monitoring is essential.
Step-by-step explanation:
When educating a client with type 2 diabetes mellitus on the use of insulin lispro, a rapid-acting insulin, it's important to instruct them on the appropriate timing of the injection. Insulin lispro should be injected approximately 15 minutes before a meal to properly manage blood glucose levels that rise after eating. It is critical to both rotate injection sites within the same region to prevent lipodystrophies and to maintain regular dosing, even if the client plans to skip a meal, to avoid significant fluctuations in blood glucose levels. Additionally, clients should be advised not to mix insulin lispro with long-acting insulins in the same syringe, as this can affect the action profiles of both insulins.
Educating clients on the necessity of insulin injections is vital. Insulin facilitates the transport and storage of glucose into cells, which helps to lower blood glucose levels postprandially. Without proper insulin management, clients with diabetes are at risk for complications resulting from hyperglycemia. Moreover, people with type 1 diabetes are required to routinely monitor their blood sugar and administer insulin injections for life. While the question pertains to type 2 diabetes, understanding the principles of insulin use is common to both types.