[cinnyb1018]

Hi,

New here, LPN of 29 years and about to finish a 4 year BSN program. Work in a level 1 trauma ER.

My question is why is regular insulin the only insulin that is given IV?

[chip193]

Originally Posted by cinnyb1018

Hi,

New here, LPN of 29 years and about to finish a 4 year BSN program. Work in a level 1 trauma ER.

My question is why is regular insulin the only insulin that is given IV?

Think about it this way...

Why are you giving insulin IV vs. any other route?

IV is for fast-action to lower blood sugar. So why would you need a longer acting insulin IV?

[sirI]

Originally Posted by cinnyb1018

Hi,

New here, LPN of 29 years and about to finish a 4 year BSN program. Work in a level 1 trauma ER.

My question is why is regular insulin the only insulin that is given IV?

Hello, cinnyb1018 and welcome to allnurses.com

So good to have you with us.

Rationale for Regular insulin IV: Regular insulin lacks the additives that prolong action.


Please come back and post as you can. Enjoy the site.:Melody:

[Myxel67]

Actually, Humalog and Novalog can be given IV, but they cost more, & offer no advantage over regular insulin.

Just remember that IV insulin has a very short half-life. There's no point in giving an IV bolus of insulin unless you are going to start a drip within 30 minutes. The ER docs are famous for doing this and all it does is lower the pt's BG for a few minutes. In fact, to quote a well respected UofMiami endocrinologist, "the only place for regular insulin in a hospital is in an insulin drip." We're still trying to abolish use of the "regular insulin sliding scale" (RISS)

[lauralassie]

Like I tell all of my students and new RN's LOOK IT UP ! Never take what anyone tells you as fact. Besides if you look it up your more likley to remember the facts. If you find it in a med book , if you go to court you can say ....I found it in _____. But if you go to court and say, well the other nurse told me....... You'll look like a fool.

[bluesky]

Originally Posted by Myxel67

There's no point in giving an IV bolus of insulin unless you are going to start a drip within 30 minutes.

Hyperkalemia.

[Myxel67]

Originally Posted by bluesky

Hyperkalemia.

True. I was looking at this is relation to BG control. As they say, never speak in absolutes!