Question

The client has an order for sliding scale insulin at 1900 hours and Lantus (glargine) insulin at the same hour. The nurse should:

Administer the two medications together.
Administer the medications in two injections.
Draw up the Lantus insulin and then the regular insulin and administer them together.
Contact the doctor because these medications should not be given to the same client.

Answer 1

The nurse should administer Lantus and sliding scale insulin in two separate injections as they have different roles in blood glucose management and should not be mixed.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer is that the nurse should administer the medications in two separate injections. Lantus (glargine) insulin is a long-acting insulin that should not be mixed in the same syringe with other insulins. It is designed to provide a consistent level of insulin over a 24-hour period.

On the other hand, a sliding scale insulin is typically a regular or rapid-acting insulin that is dosed based on blood glucose readings and is used to manage blood sugar levels after meals. Giving these insulins separately ensures that they both work as intended, with the Lantus providing a base level of insulin and the sliding scale providing additional insulin as needed.