Need help with insulin ordered

[Kaysmom8]

Hello,

Can someone help me understand this, if a patient was ordered regular humulin (70/30) 4 units daily and humulin R on a sliding scale. What is the difference between these two insulins? The patient didn't need the sliding scale insulin because the blood sugar was in range but the 70/30 was needed?

[FLArn]

Look up 70/30 in the pharmacology book. That should give you the answer you need. If you still have questions after that, please come back. You need to at least try to find the answers first. The information will stay with you better if you find it yourself.

[hodgieRN]

Insulin has different absorption rates and different half-lives. Regular insulin is a short-acting insulin. It's onset is 30-60 mins and last 4-5 hrs. 70/30 is an intermediate insulin with onset of 1-2 hrs and lasts 18-24 hrs. The intermediate gives diabetics a nice basal rate to give overall coverage while the short-acting can cover any spikes or coverage before meals.

[Kaysmom8]

I did look and the book is so confusing, tell me if I'm right from what I've read Humulin 70/30 is 70% intermediate acting NPH with 30% regular fast acting insulin, so the 70/30 is a combo of the both. The humulin R is needed to correct hyperglycemia before meals and is to be given within 15 minutes of eating because it's fast acting, since they are diabetic they still need the 70/30 mix daily.

[FLArn]

Correct. Think of the 70/30 like a base amount and the R is a fast-acting to cover a spike in the blood sugar.

[Kaysmom8]

Thanks guys I appreciate it :) you're the best !!!

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Action of Commonly Prescribed Insulin

Go to this link! There is a very good explanation and insulin chart!