Question

A nurse is preparing a continuous insulin infusion for a child with diabetic ketoacidosis and a blood glucose level of [800 mg/dl (44.4 mmol/l)]. which solution is the most appropriate at the beginning of therapy?

Answer 1

The initial dose is 100 units of regular insulin added to a normal saline solution IV. In continuous insulin infusions, short acting insulin such as insulin lispro, insulin aspart, and insulin glulysine is used until blood sugar level normalizes. The use of dextrose containing IV fluid (i.e. D5LR) is on standby in the case when hypoglycemia ensues.