[lisamc1]

It may seem like a silly question but I've been a nurse now for 1 whole week and I really would like to know what others are doing. At school we were taught how to mix insulins but after that a discussion went on about the risk of errors and how some nurses are going back to doing 2 shots in order to avoid that. Also, there was mentioned that some facilities policies are starting to require that nurses not mix insulins anymore. I don't know of any of these facilities but I wonder if they are out there. When I told my nurse orientator that I didn't want to mix the insulins, that I would rather give 2 shots, she said she had never heard of that. Is there anyone else out there not mixing? Should I just suck it up and mix them? Is there any evidence out there to support not mixing insulins? Aaah! Someone please help the new nurse! LOL! I'm just terrified that in my inexperience that I might make an insulin error.

[suebird3]

I still mix.....clear first (R), then cloudy (N or 70/30); I NEVER mix Lantus, obviously...but then again, I had only one person on Lantus, and they transfered.....

Haven't heard anything about not mixing, though.

Suebird

[Nieuport]

I don't mix. I'm just too paranoid.

[SharonH, RN]

Hello Lisa, I mix. I know it's terrifying but you will learn to trust your judgment with practice. There are a lot more complex procedures and meds you will be doing in your career and it will take time to become confident in your skills but it will happen.

[MickyB-RN]

I mix, clear to cloudy. I never heard of not mixing them and giving two needles. Just more discomfort for the patient I would think.

[ragingmomster]

So you subject the pt to twice as many injections? Imagine what that will do after a couple of years.

I was taught at school, clear first then cloudy. Another RN told me recently that she was taught cloudy to clear so that if she accidentally put some cloudy into the clear she would notice and would not see if it happened the other way around.

[jmgrn65]

yes I mix insulins, of course I don't mix lantus. I think of the patient they don't want 2 shots. No need to be paranoid, just know what you are drawing up and if you aren't sure look them up. It's OK

[KIDNEYSareLIFE]

Hi. I'm a nursing student and we were taught to mix drawing up the clear and then cloudy. I understand where you are coming from about not wanting to make a mistake but put yourself in the patient's shoes. I'm not diabetic but I do take procrit injections for anemia and if a nurse for some reason said she had to give me two shots of my normally just one shot drug I would tell her "No Way!" unless absolutely necessary. Not because I'm trying to be difficult but because I have to do this all the time and I don't want more than I have to have. The more times you mix the insulins, the more comfortable and confident you will be. Just go slowl and take your time until you are comfortable.

[clemmm78]

nursing for well over 20 years, never heard of not mixing them. Was taught cloudy then clear so you could see if you mixed the cloudy into clear by accident. I wouldn't want to subject a patient to more injections than necessary. Look at it this way - a newly diagnosed diabetic could be receiving injections with each meal and at night, at least four times a day. Giving two injections each time, you are using 8 sites in one day? Not to mention the extra cost of two syringes each time.

[Nieuport]

OK, OK, my head is hanging at the thought of causing unnecessary discomfort to ANY pt. I just worry that when things are really nuts (busy med/surg floor) any step in eliminating potential med error is safer than not.??