Which order is correct when administering intermediate and regular insulin together?

Which order is correct when administering intermediate and regular insulin together?

• A. Regular first
• B. Intermediate first
• C. It doesn't matter
• D. Draw up and mix in any order

Answer: (A)

When mixing two insulins in the same syringe, always draw up the clear, rapid-acting insulin first, then the cloudy, intermediate-acting one. This keeps the regular insulin uncontaminated by the intermediate insulin, preserving its intended concentration and action. If the cloudy insulin were drawn first, the next draw of clear insulin could pick up some intermediate insulin, altering the dose and the onset/duration of action. So the best order is regular first, then intermediate.

When mixing two insulins in the same syringe, always draw up the clear, rapid-acting insulin first, then the cloudy, intermediate-acting one. This keeps the regular insulin uncontaminated by the intermediate insulin, preserving its intended concentration and action. If the cloudy insulin were drawn first, the next draw of clear insulin could pick up some intermediate insulin, altering the dose and the onset/duration of action. So the best order is regular first, then intermediate.