When administering both Regular and NPH insulin, which should be drawn up first?

When administering a mixture of Regular and NPH insulin, Regular insulin should always be drawn up first. This practice is based on the principle of preventing contamination and ensuring the correct dosage of each type of insulin. Regular insulin is a short-acting insulin, while NPH insulin is an intermediate-acting insulin. By drawing up Regular insulin first, you minimize the risk of inadvertently mixing the longer-acting NPH insulin into the vial of Regular insulin, which could alter its concentration and affect the patient's blood glucose control.

Additionally, drawing Regular insulin first allows for a clear and accurate measurement of the dose without the potential for NPH insulin's cloudiness to interfere with the clear Regular insulin. This practice is crucial for patient safety and maintaining effective glycemic control.

Administering each type of insulin separately or considering that either can be drawn first does not align with the standard protocol, which emphasizes the importance of the sequence in which insulin types are mixed to avoid complications.