Tips for Drawing Up Insulin

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I am having trouble drawing up the exact amount of insulin when drawing up regular and intermediate. I usually end up drawing too much, and have to start all over. I always draw slowly, but I still end up pulling the syringe too far. I even tried continuously pulling on the plunger before I start to loosen  the plunger up. Are there any suggestions to draw up the exact amount of insulin?

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Specializes in kids.

You are using the correct syringe, I assume? Practice w water or saline. It does get easier.

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

I agree!  practice makes perfect.  Also, before you draw it up, pump the plunger a bit to "loosen it" then draw back to your desired dose, stick the needle into the cleaned vial, press the plunger, and draw back to your desired dose.  Some people forget or skip displacing the air.  It's hard to draw from a vial if a vacuum is formed.  

5
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Thanks for the tips everyone.

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Specializes in Intensive Care.

The policy at my most recent hospital job was to not mix insulins, but rather draw up two individual syringes. I can see how the extra cost and poke would pose a problem in the school setting, though.

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