Master Mixing NPH and Regular Insulin for Injection with Picmonic for Nursing RN

Roll the NPH insulin between your hands to evenly distrubute the medication throughout the vial. Upon completion of rolling the NPH insulin, it should appear uniformly cloudy.

Multiuse vials require the use of an alcohol preparation prior to use of the vial for medication administration.

An injection of air equal to the number of units of insulin allows for the medication to be easily withdrawn from the multiuse vial. Vials of medication are vacuum-sealed and failure to inject air into the vial first could create difficulty in attempting to withdraw the medication.

An injection of air equal to the number of units of insulin allows for the medication to be easily withdrawn from the multiuse vial. Vials of medication are vacuum-sealed and failure to inject air into the vial first could create difficulty in attempting to withdraw the medication. Injecting air into NPH insulin first, then regular insulin second, allows one to immediately withdraw from the regular insulin vial. Regular insulin must always be drawn prior to withdrawing the NPH insulin.

Withdraw the number of units of regular insulin (clear) ordered into the syringe. Vials should be inverted to withdraw medications.

Withdraw the number of units of NPH (cloudy) insulin into the syringe being careful to draw the exact number. Vials should be inverted to withdraw medications.

Once the amount of insulin is withdrawn it should be verified with a second nurse. The second nurse should compare the types of insulin, the units, and the mixed syringe with the MAR.

If the incorrect amount of insulin was withdrawn, the entire syringe should be discarded and the process should be started over. Never return additional amounts withdrawn back into the multiuse vial as this may cause mixing of insulin types.