Patient/caregiver was instructed upon measures to be observed while loading insulin as follows:
- While using a pen, prime the pen before each administration of insulin dose. Priming helps to remove the air in the needle. You can do this by turning the dosage knob to 2 units indicator and pressing on the injector button. Make sure you see some insulin ejected out. Then turn the dosage knob to the recommended units on dose indicator.
- While using a vial and an insulin syringe, pull back the plunger on the insulin syringe to the insulin dose you are planning on loading. This loads air into the syringe. Clean the top of the vial with alcohol swab and insert the needle into the vial. Push the plunger down all the way to empty the air into the vial. Retaining the needle inside the vial turn the vial upside down. This helps easy loading of the dose.
- Make sure you do not see any air bubbles in the syringe. Air occupies volume and so, can compromise the dose of insulin being administered. If you notice air in the syringe, gently tap the syringe to help the air bubbles float to the top and you can push the plunger gently and eject the air out into the vial. Pull the plunger gently back again to make sure the correct dose is loaded. If needed, repeat the whole loading process, to be sure the appropriate dose is loaded.
