A nurse is preparing to administer regular insulin, 10 units SQ before mealtime. How long before mealtime should the nurse administer the insulin?
Explanation
•Regular insulin is short-acting with a 30-minute onset, a peak of 2-4 hours, and a duration of 8-12 hours.
•The nurse should administer regular insulin 30 minutes before mealtime in order to be sure the medication is active when the meal is eaten.