Understanding Diabetes and Insulin Flashcards

When preparing a subcutaneous insulin injection, which needle angle is most commonly recommended?

Answer: 45- to 90-degree angle depending on body habitus

A 45-degree angle is used for thin individuals with less subcutaneous fat, while a 90-degree angle is used for those with adequate subcutaneous tissue.

Which of the following is NOT an appropriate site for subcutaneous insulin injection?

Answer: Inner forearm

The inner forearm lacks sufficient subcutaneous fat and is not a recommended insulin injection site; approved sites include the abdomen, thighs, upper arms, and buttocks.

Lipohypertrophy at an injection site is caused by which practice?

Answer: Repeatedly injecting insulin into the same spot

Repeated injections in the same location cause fatty tissue to build up (lipohypertrophy), which impairs insulin absorption.

Before administering insulin, a QMA should verify which of the following with a second licensed staff member per facility policy?

Answer: The insulin type, dose, route, and resident identity (five rights)

Double-checking the five rights of medication administration (right patient, drug, dose, route, time) with a second person is a critical safety step for high-alert medications like insulin.

A resident's blood glucose is 58 mg/dL just before their scheduled insulin dose. What should the QMA do?

Answer: Hold the insulin dose and immediately notify the nurse

A blood glucose of 58 mg/dL is hypoglycemic; administering insulin would worsen the situation, so the QMA must hold the dose and notify the nurse immediately.

After administering a subcutaneous insulin injection, the QMA should NOT do which of the following?

Answer: Recap the needle using the one-hand scoop method before disposal

Recapping needles is a leading cause of needlestick injuries; needles should be immediately disposed of uncapped in an approved sharps container.

Which type of diabetes mellitus is most strongly associated with obesity and insulin resistance?

Answer: Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is strongly linked to excess body weight, physical inactivity, and insulin resistance, where the body cannot use insulin effectively.