Question

a nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client who is to self-administer insulin at home. which of the following client statements should indicate to the nurse that the teaching is effective?

\i should avoid getting rid of the air bubble in the syringe.\
\i should inject the insulin into my thigh for the fastest absorption.\
\i will store my unopened bottles of insulin in the refrigerator.\
\i need to shake the insulin before using it to make sure it is well mixed.\

Explanation:

Analyze the clinical scenario

The question asks to identify which client statement indicates that discharge teaching about self-administering insulin at home is effective. This requires evaluating each option against standard nursing guidelines for insulin administration, storage, and safety.

Evaluate option 1

The statement "I should avoid getting rid of the air bubble in the syringe" is incorrect. Air bubbles must be expelled from the syringe before injection to ensure the client receives the accurate dose of medication.

Evaluate option 2

The statement "I should inject the insulin into my thigh for the fastest absorption" is incorrect. The abdomen is the site with the fastest and most consistent absorption rate for subcutaneous insulin injections, followed by the arms, thighs, and buttocks.

Evaluate option 3

The statement "I will store my unopened bottles of insulin in the refrigerator" is correct. Unopened insulin vials should be stored in the refrigerator to maintain their potency until the expiration date. Once opened, vials can typically be kept at room temperature for up to 28 days (depending on the specific insulin type) to reduce local irritation at the injection site. This demonstrates safe practice and aligns with Patient Safety Education.

Evaluate option 4

The statement "I need to shake the insulin before using it to make sure it is well mixed" is incorrect. Shaking insulin vials (especially intermediate-acting insulins like NPH) can create bubbles, which makes drawing an accurate dose difficult. Instead, the vial should be gently rolled between the palms of the hands to resuspend the insulin.

Answer:

• "I should avoid getting rid of the air bubble in the syringe."
• "I should inject the insulin into my thigh for the fastest absorption."
• "I will store my unopened bottles of insulin in the refrigerator." (Correct answer)
• "I need to shake the insulin before using it to make sure it is well mixed."