Patient was educated on how to take Novolin R as follows:

  1. Take the Novolin R 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.
  2. Since Novolin R a short duration of onset of action, the shot must be taken no more than 30 minutes before the meal.
  3. Make sure you are having your meal in 30 minutes of having the Novolin R shot. Do not go ahead and take the shot, if you are getting late on your meal. In such situation, defer taking the Novolin R shot until 30 minutes before your meal time. Noncompliance with this rule can precipitate an episode of dangerously low blood sugar and hypoglycemic symptoms.
  4. Maintain good regular eating habits and do not skip your meal.
  5. Take a blood sugar reading always before you take the Novolin R shot. Maintain a log of every day blood sugar readings for comparative feedback, as to how well the medication is helping to control the blood sugars.
  6. If the blood sugar is too low, despite eating regularly and without skipping a meal, you can defer taking the Novolin R shot for that dose and notify your doctor regarding the same.
  7. Keeping a track of frequency of episodes of low blood sugars, despite eating regularly, can help your physician change the plan regarding managing your blood sugars.
  8. Also, notify your doctor, if the blood sugar continues to be high, despite taking the Novolin R insulin as recommended, so that, your dose could be revised.
  9. Maintain strict compliance with administration of Novolin R shot as ordered, with regards to dosage and frequency, to derive the benefit of the medication.
  10. Do not change the dose on the Novolin R insulin without consulting your doctor.
  11. If you miss a dose, try taking it at the earliest notice of noncompliance. Take a blood sugar reading and make sure your blood sugars are not too low, when you are administering your Novolin R shot out of your regular scheduled time. If it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the dose scheduled. Do not take an extra dose to try making up for the missed dose.