QMA Insulin Administration Technique 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When drawing up insulin from a vial, what is the correct first step?
- Inject air equal to the dose into the vial (Correct answer)
- Insert the needle directly without air
- Warm the vial under hot water
- Shake the vial vigorously
Correct answer: Inject air equal to the dose into the vial
Injecting air equal to the prescribed dose into the vial before withdrawing insulin prevents a vacuum and allows for easier withdrawal.
Question 2: A QMA is preparing to give a subcutaneous insulin injection. At what angle should the needle be inserted for a patient with adequate subcutaneous tissue?
- 15 degrees
- 45 degrees
- 90 degrees (Correct answer)
- 10 degrees
Correct answer: 90 degrees
A 90-degree angle is used for patients with adequate subcutaneous tissue to ensure proper subcutaneous delivery.
Question 3: Which site is generally NOT recommended for routine insulin injections?
- Abdomen
- Upper arm
- Outer thigh
- Calf (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Calf
The calf is not a recommended insulin injection site due to poor subcutaneous tissue and unpredictable absorption.
Question 4: After administering an insulin injection, the QMA should:
- Recap the needle before disposal
- Place the uncapped needle directly into a sharps container (Correct answer)
- Break the needle off the syringe manually
- Wipe the injection site vigorously with alcohol
Correct answer: Place the uncapped needle directly into a sharps container
Uncapped needles must be placed directly into an approved sharps container immediately after use to prevent needlestick injuries.
Question 5: When combining regular and NPH insulin in the same syringe, which should be drawn up first?
- NPH (cloudy)
- Regular (clear) (Correct answer)
- Either order is acceptable
- They should never be mixed
Correct answer: Regular (clear)
Clear (regular) insulin is always drawn up before cloudy (NPH) insulin to prevent contamination of the regular insulin vial.
Question 6: How long should the needle remain inserted after injecting insulin when using a standard insulin syringe?
- Immediately withdraw
- Hold for 5–10 seconds (Correct answer)
- Hold for 30 seconds
- Hold for 2 minutes
Correct answer: Hold for 5–10 seconds
Holding the needle in place for 5–10 seconds after injection helps ensure all insulin is delivered and reduces leakage.
Question 7: A resident's insulin injection site shows redness and a raised lump (lipohypertrophy). The QMA should:
- Continue using the same site as directed
- Rotate to a different injection site and report to the nurse (Correct answer)
- Apply ice to the area and reuse the same site tomorrow
- Administer a smaller dose at the same site
Correct answer: Rotate to a different injection site and report to the nurse
Lipohypertrophy indicates overuse of a site; the QMA should rotate sites and report the finding to the supervising nurse.
QMA Insulin Administration Technique 2
When drawing up insulin from a vial, what is the correct first step?