Insulin Administration of 2 Insulins
You are Here: Life with Diabetes Insulin Administration of 2 Insulins
The first step you should always take prior to self-injection is to wash your hands with warm water and soap. This is an important step in prevention of infections as well as contamination of medications. Once you have cleaned your hands, you should visually inspect the insulin. Things to look for are dating, color, and particles. Rapid- and short-acting insulins should appear clear without any particles floating. Intermediate- and long-acting insulins should look cloudy, also with no clumps or crystals in the bottle. If the date is older than a month, it is usually not recommended for use.
Insulin Administration- Mixing the Insulin
If you're using intermediate- or long-acting insulin, you may mix the insulin by rolling the bottle between your hands to mix it evenly. Never shake the bottle, as shaking can make the insulin clump together.
Insulin Administration of 2 Insulins
First, check how many units of intermediate- or long-acting insulin you need to inject. Next, pull back the plunger to that number of units to draw air into the syringe. Hold the bottle upright and push the needle into the top. Push the plunger in to put air into the bottle. Take the syringe out of the bottle.
Next, check how many units of rapid- or short-acting insulin you need. Then pull back the plunger to that number of units. Your syringe should now have air in it again. Hold the rapid- or short-acting (clear) insulin bottle upright. Push the needle into the top of the bottle. Push the plunger to put the air into the bottle. Keep the needle in the bottle. While holding the needle in the bottle, turn the bottle upside-down and then pull out the plunger to measure out a bit more rapid- or short-acting insulin than you actually need.
With the needle still in the bottle, and the bottle still upside-down, tap the side of the syringe gently to identify if there are any air bubbles. Then push the plunger in just enough to get rid of the air and the extra insulin. You should now have just the right amount of rapid- or short-acting insulin in the syringe. Double-check to make sure and then take the needle out of the bottle.
Now go back to the bottle of intermediate or long acting and stick the needle in the top of the bottle. Turn the bottle and syringe upside down. Pull out the plunger to measure out the exact amount of intermediate- or long-acting insulin that you need. With the needle still in the bottle and the bottle still upside down, tap the side of the syringe gently. Any air bubbles will rise to the top.
If you are able to get air bubbles out without pushing out insulin, do so. If there are large air bubbles, you'll have to discard the syringe and start over. Double-check that you have the right amount of intermediate- or long -acting insulin in the syringe and then take the needle out of the bottle. Hopefully these insulin administration tips have been helpful. They are intended as tips and do not replace your doctors guidance on how to prepare and administer insulin.