Why do we use insulin drips?

Specialties Endocrine

Published

Hi everyone! I'm a new nurse working on a Post-Transplant/Surgical unit (kidneys and pancreases only). I'm curious about insulin gtts. A few weeks ago I had a patient on an insulin drip--hx: infected abdominal wound, new colostomy, history of DM type 2, NPO status, receiving TPN. And yesterday my co-worker was caring for a kidney rejection patient (I think?) who was on an insulin drip, not sure what else was going on.

Why do we use insulin drips? I know its obvious: to obtain tighter glycemic control. But why do we use insulin drips versus other methods? I've been doing research--insulin drips work faster for patients with DKA. But why are patients on insulin drips for long periods of time, even after BG's are under control and no ketones? Does NPO status have anything to do with it? And if so, why? I just don't fully understand the benefits of insulin drips.

If anyone could shed some light on this, I'd appreciate it. I'm very interested in endocrine nursing. Thanks :)

I work post surgical and get insulin gtt all the time. THE PRIMARY REASONS for the insulin post surgical and trauma is because Under stress conditions, the body releases cortisol (stress hormone) which affects blood glucose many ways causing it to increase.

Now, these hyperglycemic states reduce healing time and also put a patient at a increased risk for infection. Remember that bacteria LOVE sugar.

And the ONLY insulin that can be given IV is Regular!

I hope you can take a little bit of what everyone has said, because most have valid points. To answer your question about why the patient was on the drip would take a little more history that what you supplied, but obviously the infection, TPN, and the NPO status would all lead to a fluctuation in the patients blood sugar level. Like many people stated above tight control around or slightly above the normal limits decreases infection risks, which is a huge concern in the hospital setting (especially long-term). As to why not use oral meds...Is the pancreas functioning well enough to make any insulin at all? If not there goes the oral meds. And like others have said SC would not provide adequate control because it doesn't act as quickly as the IV and the FSBS checks would probably only be done Q4H.

I guess I didn't really add anything, but maybe I summed it up a bit.

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