Disease Spotlight: Diabetes Mellitus: Insulin Insulin Is A Drug That Is Used To Control
Disease Spotlight: Diabetes Mellitus: Insulin Insulin Is A Drug That Is Used To Control
Insulin is the hormone produced by the pancreatic beta cells of the islets of
Langerhans. It is released into circulation when the levels of glucose around
the cells arise. Insulin circulates through the body and reacts with specific
insulin receptor sites to stimulate the transport of glucose into cells to be
used for energy (facilitated diffusion).
Originally prepared from pork and beef pancreas, virtually all insulin is
prepared by recombinant DNA technology now. This is a purer form of insulin
and is not associated with sensitivity problems that many patients developed
with the animal products.
Contents [hide]
1 Disease Spotlight: Diabetes Mellitus
o 1.1 Therapeutic Action
o 1.2 Indications
o 1.3 Pharmacokinetics
o 1.4 Contraindications and Cautions
o 1.5 Adverse Effects
o 1.6 Interactions
o 1.7 Nursing Considerations
2 Practice Quiz: Insulin
3 See Also
4 Further Reading and Resources
Therapeutic Action
Indications
Insulin is indicated for the following medical conditions:
Pharmacokinetics
Here are the characteristic interactions of insulin and the body in terms of
absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion:
Ultralente
(Humulin 4-8 h 10-30 h 20-36 h
Ultralente)
Adverse Effects
Interactions
Nursing Considerations
Nursing Assessment
These are the important things the nurse should include in conducting
assessment, history taking, and examination:
Here are some of the nursing diagnoses that can be formulated in the use of
this drug for therapy:
These are vital nursing interventions done in patients who are taking insulin:
Ensure that patient has dietary and exercise regimen and using
good hygiene practices to improve the effectiveness of the insulin
and decrease adverse effects of the disease.
Monitor nutritional status to provide nutritional consultation as
needed.
Gently rotate the vial containing the agent and avoid vigorous
shaking to ensure uniform suspension of insulin.
Rotate injection sites to avoid damage to muscles and to prevent
subcutaneous atrophy.
Monitor response carefully to avoid adverse effects.
Always verify the name of the insulin being given because each
insulin has a different peak and duration, and the names can be
confused.
Use caution when mixing types of insulin; administer mixtures of
regular and NPH insulins within 15 minutes after combining them to
ensure appropriate suspension and therapeutic effect.
Store insulin in a cool place away from direct sunlight to ensure
effectiveness. Predrawn syringes are stable for 1 week if
refrigerated.
Monitor patient’s food intake and exercise and activities to ensure
therapeutic effect and avoid hypoglycemia.
Monitor patient’s sensory losses to incorporate his or her needs into
safety issues, as well as potential problems in drawing up and
administering insulin.
Provide good skin care and foot care, to prevent the development of
serious infections and changes in therapeutic insulin doses.
Provide comfort measures to help patient cope with drug effects.
Provide patient education about drug effects and warning signs to
report to enhance patient knowledge and to promote compliance.
Evaluation