When drawing up NPH insulin and regular insulin, which insulin should be prepared first?

When preparing to draw up NPH insulin and regular insulin, the correct approach is to always prepare regular insulin first. This is crucial because regular insulin is a clear solution, while NPH insulin is a cloudy suspension. If NPH is drawn up first, there is a risk of contaminating the clear regular insulin with the cloudy NPH, which can affect the efficacy of the regular insulin dose and lead to improper dosing.

In addition, drawing regular insulin first helps maintain the integrity of both medications since any residual particles from the NPH in the syringe could potentially alter the action of the clear insulin. By following this order, it ensures that the patient receives the correct type and amount of insulin needed for effective glucose control, thereby promoting safe medication administration practices.