Patient was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking rapid-acting insulins as below:
- Take the insulin shot at the same time every day, to avoid forgetting the shot. This also helps to avoid lags in insulin coverage or stacking up the doses of insulin too close. Forgetting the shot can precipitate an episode of elevated blood sugars.
- Since these insulins have a very short duration of onset of action, the shot must be taken 15 minutes before meal.
- Make sure you are having your meal within 15 minutes of having the shot. Do not go ahead and take the shot, if you are getting late on your meal. In such situation, defer taking the shot until 15 minutes before your meal time. Noncompliance with this rule can precipitate an episode of dangerously low blood sugar and hypoglycemic symptoms.
- Maintain good regular eating habits. Do not skip your meals.
- Be aware of signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia, such as, dizziness, lightheadedness, sweating, and hunger, to avoid any episodes of altered levels of consciousness and accidental falls. One should stay away from activities, such as, driving and operating heavy machinery, until they are used to the side effects caused by rapid-acting insulins.
