Nursing Case Study: NovoRapid Insulin Administration

Running head: NURSING CASE STUDY
Nursing Case Study
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author note

1NURSING CASE STUDY
PART- I
1. Explain the 11 components of a valid routine subcutaneous
insulin medication order and why this is important.
The components of a valid routine subcutaneous insulin medication order are:
 Following the state drug legislations
 Reviewing orders
 The National Subcutaneous Insulin Chart must be used for subcutaneous
insulin administration
 A chart, different from the previous one, should be used for intravenous
insulin orders
 Entries should be clearly written in ink
 Water-resistant black ink is preferred
 The order is valid only when the required items are entered
 Information must be printed
 No use of erasers
 One chart must be used for five days
 A new chart must be introduced after five days
 The current hospital and ward number of the patient should be clearly
mentioned on the chart
These regulations are important for proper ordering, administration and
utilization of the insulin medication (Cleland et al., 2013). The chart helps the

2NURSING CASE STUDY
authorized prescribers to maintain a detailed documentation of the medication
ordered.
2. Explain why Ben has been prescribed this medication. Relate to
the pathophysiology of type 1 diabetes and the mechanism of
action of NovoRapid insulin.
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disorder that leads to the destruction
of the pancreatic beta cells resulting in deficiency of insulin and thus hyperglycaemia
(Zaccardi et al., 2015). Absolute insulin reduction results in osmotic diuresis,
dehydration and diabetic ketoacidosis. In the absence of the inhibitory effects of
insulin on lipolysis and protein degradation, muscle wasting and breakdown of body
fats is observed in the T1D patients. Ben displayed all the symptoms of T1D such as
increased appetite, excessive thirst, fatigue, sudden weight loss and frequent
urination. His blood glucose level was 25.0 mmol/L which is extremely high, and his
blood ketone level was 1.5 mmol/L which is moderate ketone level in blood. Based
on these symptoms and his genetic history of autoimmune disease from his mother
who suffers from hyperthyroidism, Ben was prescribed 10 units of the NovoRapid
Flexpen which is a rapid-acting insulin analog (Stankov, Benc & Draskovic, 2013).
NovoRapid works almost immediately after administration and its effects wear off
within 3-5 hours of administration.