If dietary trays are usually brought to the nursing unit at 8:00 am, the nurse should plan to administer intermediate-acting insulin (Humulin N), 40 units, subcutaneously to a client between:
1. 5:00 and 5:30 am
2. 6:30 and 7:00 am
3. 9:30 and 10:30 am
4. 11:00 and 11:30 am
Rationale: (2)
Intermediate-acting insulin, such as Humulin N, should be given 60 to 90 minutes before a meal. Therefore, if the breakfast tray arrived at 8:00 am, a client would need to receive the insulin between 6:30 and 7:30 am. Regular insulin usually is administered 30 minutes before a meal, and insulin lispro is given immediately (15 minutes) before or after meals. (Lehne, 7 ed., pp. 666-667.)