# Place the nursing actions in order after discovering that a client received rapid-acting insulin instead of the prescribed long-acting insulin.

> source: MyMerci (mymerci.kr)  
> url: https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=396389&lang=en  
> language: en  
> subject: Incident Reporting  
> category: SIPC

## Question

Place the nursing actions in order after discovering that a client received rapid-acting insulin instead of the prescribed long-acting insulin.

Implement the treatment and nutrition plan, perform frequent glucose checks through the expected risk period, and trend the client's response

Call for help and promptly notify the responsible clinician and pharmacist; initiate the approved hypoglycemia pathway as indicated

Complete objective clinical documentation and the separate safety report, preserve evidence, and participate in systems review

Assess airway, breathing, circulation, symptoms, and point-of-care glucose; verify the product, dose, route, and administration time

Support timely, honest communication with the client according to facility policy and explain the mitigation and monitoring plan

## Explanation

Assess the client and define the exposure first. Rapidly involve the clinician and pharmacist and begin the approved hypoglycemia pathway when indicated. Continue nutrition or dextrose treatment and serial glucose monitoring across the risk window. Communicate the event and plan honestly according to policy, then complete factual charting and the separate safety report.

## In-depth explanation

Correct sequence
Assess the client and exposure → mobilize treatment resources → treat and monitor through the risk window → communicate openly → document and report for learning.

Why this is correct
The first priority after a medication error is preventing or limiting harm, not completing an incident form. Insulin can cause delayed or recurrent hypoglycemia, so one normal glucose value does not end surveillance.

NCLEX decision rule
Patient care comes first. Use objective facts, preserve separate clinical and safety-reporting functions, and do not conceal the event.References
1AHRQ PSNet: Responding to Patient Safety Events
2FDA insulin lispro prescribing information

## Clinical scenario

High-alert medication event
The incorrect insulin was administered 20 minutes ago. The client is awake and has IV access. Use the facility's hypoglycemia, medication-event, disclosure, and reporting processes while preventing further harm.

## Key concepts

- **High-Alert Medication** — A medication for which an error carries a heightened risk of serious patient harm.
- **Risk Window** — The period during which the medication's onset, peak, and duration can produce clinically important harm.
- **Safety Report** — A nonpunitive event record used for investigation, data tracking, and system improvement apart from the clinical chart.

## Related questions

- [A nurse sustains a needlestick injury after giving an injection. Which action should the n…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=397157&lang=en)
- [During a sterile dressing change, the nurse notices that a sterile gauze pad falls below w…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=397270&lang=en)
- [Which action helps reduce central line-associated bloodstream infection risk when administ…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=397276&lang=en)
- [A client is admitted with suspected varicella and a widespread vesicular rash. Which room …](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=397328&lang=en)

## Read in another language

- [en](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=396389&lang=en)
- [ko](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=396389&lang=ko)
- [ja](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=396389&lang=ja)
- [zh-TW](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=396389&lang=zh-tw)
- [vi](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=396389&lang=vi)

---

More free questions: [NCLEX-RN Practice](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_bank.php?lang=en)

_For study reference only. Always follow current clinical guidelines and your institution’s protocols._