A newly diagnosed type 1 diabetic requires education on insulin administration. Why should the nurse instruct the patient to rotate insulin injection sites?

Explanation

•Lipodystrophy can cause unpredictable insulin absorption. It can be avoided by rotating injection sites.

•Lipodystrophy occurs when the body continuously pulls insulin from the subcutaneous fat causing an atrophy of the fat at the injection site. This creates divots in the skin which are irreversible.

•Rotating injection sites does not change drug duration or distribution, and it will not prevent pain.

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