Patient was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking long-acting insulins as follows:
- 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. Noncompliance with taking the insulin shot can precipitate an episode of elevated blood sugar and hyperglycemic symptoms.
- These long-acting insulins have longer durations for onset and total duration of actions. They act and reduce the blood sugars even and fair and they do not have any peak. These insulins do not have to be taken along with meal. But, taking the shot of long-acting insulin along with the food is easier and avoids noncompliance with medication.
- 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 long-acting insulins.
- Observe for any signs and symptoms of lipodystrophy, such as, thinning of subcutaneous fat in some areas of the skin along with deposition of extra fat in some other areas. Patients also present with poor blood sugar management and symptoms of hyperglycemia, secondary to impaired insulin absorption. Observe compliance with rotation of insulin administration sites to avoid this complication from developing.
